Lcd Soundsystem

Review: Innervisions co-founder and tech-house behemoth Dixon is the latest remixer to get his hands on a track from LCD Soundsystem's 2017 album, American Dream. His version of "I Used To" is closer in feel to James Murphy and company's original version than his own grandiose and melodious tech-house epics, though the Berlin producer's decision to include some seriously epic breakdowns and build-ups suggests that the mix could not only land with his audience, but become something of an anthem in clubs around the globe. Arguably even better is flipside bonus cut "Pulse (V1)", a wonderfully melodious and atmospheric instrumental that sounds like it was inspired by NYC minimalists such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

Review: Six years ago, an iconic and emotional concert at Madison Square Gardens marked the end of LCD Soundsystem. The accompanying documentary 'Shut Up and Play The Hits' delved into frontman James Murphy's reasons for the decision, with self-examination, a need for change and a fear of old age playing a part. Fast forward to 2017, and the surprise release of three singles accompanying the announcement of a comeback album triggers anticipation and a sigh of relief from fans everywhere. 'American Dream' meets expectations and at times surpasses them, with the familiar driving disco rhythms, strutting funk basslines and heartfelt morning-after-the-night-before ballads feeling like a well-needed catch up with an old friend. The current musical, social and political climates provide Murphy with platforms for his self-effacing and acerbic witticisms. This strong return to form was needed now perhaps more than ever, but simultaneously feels like they never left in the first place.

Review: Those fans hankering for more stuffy nosed opining from James Murphy and his rotating assembly of LCD Soundsystem musicians will have to suffice with the odd reissue of their classics from DFA Records. Originally released in 2004, Yeah was, along with Beat Connection, the sort of 12" that captured perfectly the joy of seeing LCD Soundsystem play live; a heaving organic mass of thick bass lines, clomping percussion and gut punching disco punk beats and of course Murphy's disaffected vocals that seemed to spring forth from the wax with nervous, sweaty energy. Both the Crass and Nervous versions still sound immense nearly a decade later and this new pressing comes in the same classy printed sleeve and plastic wrapping of the DFA release done in conjunction with Trevor Jackson's Output .

Review: Anyone lucky enough to have caught James Murphy and his entourage of highly talented musical friends live will attest that it's here LCD Soundsystem truly excel. And whilst this London Sessions album recorded in the aftermath of such a performance at last year's Glastonbury Festival does not replicate such an elation filled experience, the chance to hear some of the band's best tracks recorded live makes this worth investigating. It's basically a showcase for how tight a group of musicians Gavin Russom, Pat Mahoney and Nancy Whang are, most notably on "Get Innocuous" where Russom really goes to town on the synths and "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" which gets embellished with a liberal dose of tightness, tautness and spikiness. The band has such an all encompassing back catalogue that you could spend all day dissecting which tracks they should have included here, and it's a mark of the aforementioned tightness that even the somewhat risible "Drunk Girls" sounds markedly improved here.

Review: US only 12" from LCD Soundsystem on DFA, featuring tracks which were only on limited UK 7"S and 12"S - including 'North American Scum' Oananisyic dub mix.