''Rave Tapes'' is the eighth
studio album by Scottish
post-rock band
Mogwai
Mogwai () are a Scottish post-rock band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar), and Martin Bulloch (drums). Mog ...
, released on 20 January 2014 on
Rock Action Records
Rock Action Records is a Scottish, Glasgow-based independent record label, founded and maintained by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. The label has showcased such diverse talents as Part Chimp, Errors, Chris Brokaw, Trout, The James Orr Complex ...
in the UK, and the following day in the USA on
Sub Pop. The album was released on
vinyl
Vinyl may refer to:
Chemistry
* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer
* Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation
* Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry
* Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl ...
,
MC,
CD, high resolution digital download and as part of a limited edition box set. In the first week of release the album charted at number 10 in the UK Album Charts and number 2 in the Scottish Album Charts. An EP of unreleased tracks from the ''Rave Tapes'' sessions along with remixes of three tracks was released on 1 December 2014 on
Rock Action titled ''Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1.''.
Overview
On 5 August 2013 the band posted an image to Instagram with the caption "1st day in Castle Of Doom recording our new album."
On 28 October 2013 the track "Remurdered" was premiered on
BBC Radio 6 Music
BBC Radio 6 Music is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC, specialising primarily in alternative music. BBC 6 Music was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years. It is available onl ...
and
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform and music sharing website that enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio. Founded in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, SoundCloud is one of the largest music streaming s ...
, and the track listing released. The band debuted six tracks from the album ("Heard About You Last Night", "Master Card", "Blues Hour", "The Lord is Out of Control", "Hexon Bogon" and "Remurdered") during a concert at
Cambridge Junction
Cambridge Junction is a live music and arts venue in Cambridge, England.
The principal venue was opened to the south of the railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers an ...
on 28 November, a warm up for their appearance at the final
ATP festival. Five days later, an official video for "The Lord is Out of Control" was posted on YouTube.
Critical reception
At ''
Alternative Press
Alternative press may refer to:
Individual publications
* ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine
Alternative journalism
* Alternative media
** Alternative media (U.S. political left)
** Alternative media (U.S. political ri ...
'', Robert Ham rated the album four stars out of five, and wrote that the musical sound was softening, while the band "are aging gracefully ''and'' brilliantly."
Joe Gross of ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' rated the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, and noted that "Many were born to rock; Mogwai were born to score."
''
Consequence of Sound
''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook ...
'' called the band to likely "stand as the genre’s last immobile pillar" and listed "Remurdered" and "The Lord Is Out of Control" as essential tracks.
[ Buzz & Howl wrote that ''Rave Tapes'' "isn’t so much a feverishly urgent collection as it is a contented, worthwhile keepsake" and noted that " krautrock subtly informs much of this album."]
Track listing
All songs by Mogwai.
;Box Set Bonus Tracks
A "Box Set" version of the album included three bonus tracks:
Credits
* Mogwai: Dominic Aitchison, Stuart Braithwaite, Martin Bulloch, Barry Burns, John Cummings
* Published by Tomorrow Hits / Kobalt Music Publishing
* Produced, recorded and mixed by Paul Savage at Castle of Doom, Glasgow, Scotland
* Assistant: Niall McMenamin
* Voice on "Repelish" by Reverend Lee Cohen
* Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road
* Artwork by DLT
Charts
References
{{Authority control
2014 albums
Mogwai albums
Sub Pop albums
Rock Action Records albums
Albums recorded at Castle of Doom Studios