Mogwai - Mr Beast
[PIAS]

Age always brings with it a certain mellowing of the ways; those that were once radical in views or actions tend, naturally, with the passing of the years to become more sanguine in their outlook and embrace those things they perhaps once would have scoffed at.

Previous to Mr Beast Mogwai's music seemed to be mellowing with each album that passed, but by adding something of, if you like, the old Mogwai to this album they've skilfully managed to avoid becoming bland or clichéd or sacrificing their rebel spirit. By the old Mogwai, I mean the head-crushing guitar and feedback symphonics of their early work (mainly Mogwai Young Team). By peppering this collection with several displays of the sheer brute force they are capable of, they demonstrate their edge hasn't been blunted by the passage of time.

Nowhere is the contrast in styles more evident than on the opening two tracks, 'Auto Rock' and 'Glasgow Mega Snake'. Opening with graceful piano and electronics, 'Auto Rock' soon builds to a climax over a backing of war-like drums. 'Glasgow Mega Snake' on the other hand rips straight into you with a squall of guitars, the musical equivalent of being pummelled by a sand storm. If nothing more, these two tracks serve to highlight that despite evolving their sound, Mogwai haven't forgotten their roots, they are still capable of unleashing the kind of storm of white noise they were once renowned for.

These contrasts also mean they've created their most eclectic set to date, where piano led prettiness in the form of 'Team Handed' and for me the standout track, the epic swell of 'Friend Of The Night', sit next to guitar-heavy monoliths like the afore-mentioned 'Glasgow Mega Snake' and the menacing 'We're No Here'.

So here they are, five albums in to their career, Mogwai are no doubt older and wiser, but while they have mellowed somewhat over the years, with this album they have proved that they are still capable of conjuring that formidable, ear drum-damaging rage of their early days. Their music is more accessible now than the art rock tag would suggest, yet at the same time still spiked with a vein of mayhem that helps Mr Beast re-instate their claim as 21st century guitar heroes.