Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

Label: Sub Pop

Scotland’s finest post-rock outfit delivers – wait a minute, let’s look at that “post-rock” tag these guys always get. Is there more of a misnomer for Mogwai’s style? It’s nothing but rock: big booming guitar riffs that fill up all the sonic space, big walloping drumbeats that accent the riffs, big fat bass lines that anchor the riffs. Did I mention riffs? Yeah, awesome riffs that even hook onto your brain on the occasional quiet track that’s thrown in for variety. On the mostly instrumental quintet’s first new studio album in three years (and seventh overall), there are a few new moves: a slightly clearer-than-normal vocal on one track, a little electronic flavoring on another. But mostly it’s rock, gritty and grungy enough to fit in on their new U.S. label, Sub Pop. And of course the track titles are as laugh-out-loud irreverent as usual. (Note that 2xLP package includes an extra downloadable track, "Music for a Forgotten Future," the band's soundtrack to an art installation.)