REVIEW

"This is Happening" LCD Soundsystem

Alot has already been written about James Murphy's 'last record'. And I admit I am way behind the mark on getting the album, but that's what happens when you still live in the burbs and literally none of the record stores stock anything that's not on the top 40 radio. So finally, here it is...

Awesome!
I know that it's not the most descriptive word, but it's the best overall word that I can think of to describe it. The other would be solid. From start to finish it's a record that is easy to listen to, and even easier to dance to.

Murphy and company are masters at not only playing great dance music, but have taken great notes from the past in how to properly record it. Murphy is a great producer. Probably even more so than he is an original artist (since most of what he records can be found in the late 70's and early 80's post disco era). You get the feeling of live instruments being put to tape, and the master Bob Weston does a fine job of mastering.

Now to the songs themselves. Track 1, 'Dance Yrself Clean' has a slower intro, then goes right into the groove at 3:00. The intro reminds me of a local CT band MT Bearington (actually the whole album does as well, to some extent). Lots of hand claps, and random percussion hits with group singing.

Next is 'Drunk Girls', which was the first single off the album. If you could bottle up a party, shake it up, and spray it all around a NY night club, it would sound like this! The title says it all. Drunk Girls are fun!

'One Touch', and 'All I Want' keep the party moving in the right direction. 'I Can Change' is one of the best on the album, although it sounds extremely familiar. Then again, LCD's whole repertoire has been lifted to some degree from the post-disco era anyways, so I've heard all these in one form or another. Again the production is top notch. Clear, crisp, but never sounding synthetic, even when using synthesizers. "I can change/if that helps you fall in love". Some sad lyrics for such an upbeat song. Great line!

'You Wanted a Hit' is my least favorite only because I pay attention to the lyrics, and these are Murphy's usual silly beat poetry style. The track itself is good though. 'Pow Pow' has already been reviewed here, but again it is the best track on the record. At 8:23 it keeps grooving through his seemingly non-sensical lyrics.

This is a great record to hear banging out of some good PA speakers at a loft party, or in your best pair of headphones. I hope to hear it this weekend at every party I'm at. I will be the first one on the floor!

If this is LCD's final record, it's a shame. Even though they borrow and steal their general style from those past, it's a great past to take from. Good dance music never goes out of style.