This week's SOTW is Mogwai's Rano Pano. For those of you who don't know, Mogwai is one of my all-time fave bands. Their most recent album: "Hardcore will Never Die, but You Will" is a testament to the band's "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" staying power. These days, so many artists attempt to transcend genres or show-off their "eclectic" side. Not Mogwai. Similar to my experience at Eatzies, Mogwai delivers the same top-notch grilled chicken sandwich every time. Except, in this case the grilled chicken sandwich is sonic radness.
"Rano Pano" is without a doubt my favorite song on the new album. You'll see why. Masters of the buildup, Mogwai (or Mog-wizzle) start off with some distorted guitars, add in some driving bass and then comes the synthesizers. Did I hear a theremin in there too? OH MAN!
I was at first disappointed with the video. It appears to be too drunk guys (near my age) playing grab-ass. What's the message here Mogwai? (I thought). Then I realize what's going on: these guys are building a portal to another dimension to bring back super hot girls wearing Star Wars gear. Bravo Mogwai! I love the embracing of nerdiness and the shear disregard for all things cool/hip. It's so refreshing when juxtaposed with a Kanye West video. I haven't said this in a while, but F Kanye.
As we "grow older with concerts" it's important for us to understand that we are all becoming less cool by the day (wah wah). With each show I attend, I recognize an additional reason I'm now considered uncool (by the cool):
1) Where's my unkempt facial hair?
2) Why am I wearing sleeves?
3) Why don't I have more "accessories"?
4) Who just punched me in the face?
5) Seriously, was that you?
Personally, I'm OK with this. I think everyone "freezes" a style at some point in their life that suits them. My Dad's freeze date was circa 1984 and involves Ranger T-shirts and short shorts. My Mom's freeze date was closer to 1989 and involves, occasionally, be-dazzled sweatshirts. My cat Sam hasn't frozen yet. He's still getting cooler...but man is he an @sshole! Just the other day I saw him wearing an animal T-shirt (it was a cat, by the way...) and wearing obnoxiously large headphones listening to something I'll probably discover next year (he wouldn't let me listen). I think I froze last week. Some day...in the future...when "cool kids" are wearing pants made out of fiber optic cable and lasers...I'll still be wearing my slip-ons and corduroys. Suck it FUTURE!
I'll see you at the Mogwai concert on 5/15/2011 at the Granada.
Shout out to Neil Ferrari. OH MAN are we gonna miss you...oh man!
Hope you Dig,
JZ
I like kanye
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