Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling Format: Album Release Date: 22nd Sep 2008 Label: Wall Of Sound Rating: The genre of post rock has gone from being an underground, radio unfriendly movement that nobody knew about, starting around the early 90s with bands like Talk Talk, Slint, Tortoise and Godspeed You! Black Emperor setting down the blueprints, into a trendy, popular genre nowadays with bands like Explosions In the Sky and Sigur Ros starting to touch into the mainstream. Scotland's Mogwai have actually been at the forefront of post rock since its conception, ever since their 1997 debut "Young Team", Mogwai are still going strong and have now delivered us their sixth full length album, "The Hawk Is Howling". This year hasn't seen many massively anticipated post rock albums, aside from the new Sigur Ros and A Silver Mt Zion releases, and we have also seen some newcomers such as This Will Destroy You. After much uncertainty to the state of this little genre, our old friends Mogwai have come out to show us all how it should be done! "The Hawk Is Howling" goes back to the roots of post rock, no vocals and alternative rock acessibility like on previous album "Mr Beast", and early Mogwai producer Andy Miller has even been brought back. This isn't to say that Mogwai are trying to take a trip back in time, or make Young Team 2, but instead they are merely reminiscing, and combing the old with the new. The album opens with a classic Mogwai performance. A lone, pretty piano melody drifts effortlessly into an atmospheric clash of noisy guitars, subtle electronics and brilliant crescendos, all revolving around the same melody and theme, on the bizarrely titled "I'm Jim Morisson, I'm Dead", which is already a standout track on the album. The second track "Batcat" kicks it up a gear, with heavy metal style chugging riffs that nod to bands Pelican and The Fucking Champs. Already Mogwai sound fresh and exciting once again. A Mogwai album wouldn't be complete without their trademark dark and gloomy side which dominated their album "Come On, Die Young", and here it gives balance to the record in tracks like "Local Authority" with its brilliant use of E-Bow, which is perhaps now a post rock cliche, but if you can make it sound good then why not use it! It is variety in styles like this that gives the album it's balance instead of meandering too heavily in one mood. "The Sun Smells to Loud" is actually ridiculously happy and upbeat, more so than Mogwai have ever been (and ever should be?) luckily it is a standout track that almost verges on irony and self parody! And of course a great post rock album wouldn't be complete without the true epics with patient build ups and crushing climaxes, which is delivered masterfully in the hilariously titled "I Love You, I'm Going to Blow Up Your School" and the closer "The Precipice". "The Hawk Is Howling" proves to be another highly satisfying addition to Mogwai's discography. Whilst it may not offer as many surprises as some of their previous albums, it's stengths lay in its delivery. It's an album that will assure you that Mogwai aren't about to become stale, as they are still at the forefront of the genre, Once again these pioneers continue to light the way.

Written by: Frenchie