LCD SOUNDSYSTEM 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: There was naturally a lot of excitement when James Murphy and company dropped 'New Body Rhumba' digitally in the summer of 2022. The track, which is the New York punk-funk outfit's first new music for over five years, was written and recorded for the soundtrack of hyped movie 'White Noise'. The track finally coming to vinyl is great news, not least because it feels like 'prime' LCD Soundsystem from the period in the early-to-mid 2000s when Murphy and his regular collaborators could do no wrong. All the familiar elements are present and correct - think crunchy, fuzzy punk guitar licks, funky no-wave drums, cowbells, vintage electronics and lead vocals from Murphy whose lyrics offer a weary analysis of 21st century life. In a word: essential!

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: 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.