LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver

Label: DFA/Astralwerks

You know someone’s special when he invents a genre all on his own – or, in the case of LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, inventing a genre-less genre. By defying categorization, LCD has created one all its own: a seamless hybrid of dance, punk, new wave and rock that should find admirers on all sides of the pop-music spectrum. In short, no one on the planet can create music like this, so unique is its style and execution. LCD blew our minds two years ago with their debut; the highly anticipated follow-up scores all fronts, once again delivering a high-octane crowd pleaser, particularly the rousing opener, “Get Innocuous!,” a seven-minute raveup that should send dancefloors dizzying with delight. Other outstanding tracks include “Someone Great,” “All My Friends,” “Watch the Tapes” (all perfect examples of Murphy’s penchant for blending genres) and the hilarious minor-key ballad “New York, I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down.” Murphy’s music never shouts out: Here is my rock song, here is my dance song … the music works beautifully as a whole, tying together the disparate sounds in a glorious record that’s an instant classic. (Ralph)