The third, and apparently final, album from LCD Soundsystem is streets better than any previous offerings which makes it even harder to believe that it will be the last we hear of James Murphy & Co. I’m sure he will remain in music but if this album is anything to go by his current “musical project†(long gone are the days of band or solo artist) should remain together such is the calibre of music created.
It is an album that oozes enjoyment and a carefree attitude. That the introductory song is nearly nine minutes long indicates their enjoyable lack of respect for the so-called norm. Dance Yrself Clean initially feels like a low-key, mellow introduction until exploding with electronics that epitomise the entirety of the album. That the group enjoy their music is evident in the length of almost every track in this album and particularly obvious in the enjoyably repetitive Drunk Girls, which although one of the shorter tracks, transports the mind to a thoroughly enjoyable crowded sweaty gig with the controlled yelling throughout.
This Is Happening is an album of catchy, toe-tappingly good electronic pop with the weighty and boisterous vocals of Murphy adding a penetrative dimension which should see tracks resound with listeners. There are quality hooks and basic beats littered throughout which will lend themselves to remixes the world over.
I’m treading carefully when I call the tracks catchy as in today’s mainstream music scene that sort of description normally goes hand-in-hand with a one-hit wonder or an annoying ringtone. But these tracks hook you in straight away whilst getting better the more you listen. The majority of tracks, and in particular All I Want and I Can Change are instantaneously memorable and leave a lasting impression; one that will grow and mature rather than annoy or irritate.
01. Dance Yrself Clean (08:56)*
02. Drunk Girls (03:42)*
03. One Touch (07:45)
04. All I want (06:41)
05. I Can Change (05:55)*
06. You Wanted a Hit (09:06)
07. Pow Pow (08:23)
08. Somebody’s Calling Me (06:53)
09. Home (07:53)
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LCD Soundsystem – Dance Yrself Clean
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LCD Soundsystem – Drunk Girls
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LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
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