It’s a Shame Their End is Near

The concept of “LCD Soundsystem” as a band name is not hard.  The concept of what an “LCD Soundsystem” would be is another matter, but I won’t go into that.  James Murphy is the heart and soul of this band.  Murphy has done many things in his life besides music, including being offered to write for the sitcom Seinfeld and leading a record label into international success.  LCD Soundsystem is his most known project.

All of their records have been critically acclaimed.  The one I am going to write about today, Sound of Silver, was my introduction to them.  Since then I have checked out all of LCD Soundsystem’s music and more or less enjoyed it all.  With their music they try to blend electronic music with rock and folk and anything that Murphy can think of.  For the most part, their records are all the work of Murphy, though occasionally members of his touring band will appear to lend help on vocals or other instruments.

# 104 – LCD Soundsystem, Sound of Silver (Metascore = 86)

I first latched onto this record based on the single for “North American Scum”.  The title is what got me, but then listening to the song I liked the punk electronic element it had.  I loved the hand claps and the chorus.  I liked its ironic lyrics.  So I wondered prior to getting the record whether or not their sound would be the same.  It is not, as I came to find out.

Sound of Silver followed the record that created a fitness sensation, 45:33 (that’s not entirely correct; 45:33 was created by Murphy for people with iPods that wanted something to work out to).  “Get Innocuous”, with its infection beat, chiming pianos, and otherworldly vocals, continued this upbeat trend.  The word “innocuous” means “inoffensive” or “not interesting”.  This song is anything but that, but who am I to argue with a song name.  “Time to Get Away” also has a really great beat to you, driven by the thumping bass line and Murphy’s take on soul music.

“Someone Great” is an interesting song.  Murphy’s lyrics are so mournful here, like he dreads the current when the past had so much good in it.  Moving on just doesn’t seem like the right thing, yet there’s really no other way to go.  Lyrically to me this is the best of all the songs on the album.  Thematically, the songs seem to echo this feeling of being in the wrong place (New York?) and being unable to get life together.

This record is a dance record through and through.  There’s not a song on here that doesn’t have a danceable beat to it, whether it’s the slower numbers (“Someone Great”, “All My Friends”) or the fun numbers (“North American Scum”, “Watch the Tapes”).  How this record didn’t register a higher Metascore than 86 is beyond me.  The ongoing themes, the steady music, and creativity of Murphy and his band should have been music gold to the critics.  I love this record!