LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening: A Review

Very often when I get asked what the soundtrack of my current life is I tend to give an answer along the lines of "you know, indie, synth-pop, a bit of Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, and, of course, LCD Soundsystem, a lot of that, actually. And a bit indie Brit, too."

I had been looking forward to LCD Soundsystem's new album as their 2007 highly rated album, "Sound of Silver," in a nutshell, blew me out of the water. The trance elements in new tracks like 'One touch' reveal one thing about the unique brand of music that James Murphy contributes: he does his music homework well.

The album feels the way a synth-pop a-la-80's is supposed to feel in 2010. Murphy gets adaptation. However, the album is not simply a 'tip of the hat' to previous styles and times. It is also innovative in its seemingly fragmented yet well put together wholeness. For instance, the end of one track "All I Want" actually made me think of Stravinsky's "Dance of the Adolescents". It's disjointed yet very much a part of the whole. Brilliant, just brilliant.

I've reviewed this band generously over the years and I've done so for good reason. Their music have brought me much joy and it has informed my life very well. You can read those reviews here, here, and here. Moral of the story: if it's high-frequency, chances are it's good, well, here at least. A few years ago, back in 2007 to be more specific, I rated LCD Soundsystem's album "Sound of Silver" as the best of the year. This new album might just rival the last. Such an exciting, new addition to one's music library!

My favorite tracks of the album would have to be in this order:

-All I want (this is a spectacular track!!)
-One Touch
-Somebody's calling me
-Dance Yrself clean (the way this builds up is nothing if not poetic.)

You may listen to the album for free here. If you're in the mood for synth, techno a-la-trance, electronica, and good ol' rock 'n roll, give it a try. The album will be released in the US on May 18, 2010.

Tip of the hat to Spin magazine for the pointer. Their cover is here.

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While I knew I already liked LCD Soundsystem quite a bit I am glad to report that that degree of liking is much higher now. As a mater of fact, it's the only band I've been listening to for weeks. And if that doesn't say much about the caliber of their art, I don't know what else to say.


LCD Soundsystem is my current favorite band. Music like this can only come from people who are acutely aware of life on a micro level. Their experience can be viewed in slow
motion. And clearly so.
Their last album made most lists as best album of '07 and rightly so.
Those who enjoy the genuinely existential sound of The Strokes and
everything alternative from Franz Ferdinand to Death Cab for Cutie will
find these guys not only superbly informed bur aesthetically solid as
well. A great, great addition to your music library. Tracks like Someone Great, New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, and Get Innocuous aren't just good, they're incomparably good.
Here they are live:

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