LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Let’s not kid ourselves about LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy and company are not an indie alternative band as some would lead you to believe, or even a production team utilizing studio gimmickry. They’re a tight assembly of musicians capable of astounding songwriting, which they’ve proven on their latest release, Sound of Silver. Clever lyrics such as “We are North Americans/And for those of you think we’re from England/We’re not,” from “North American Scum,” evoke the silliness from previous LCD releases, but there’s also a rare introspective side. Murphy sings about his inability to communicate during the rubber-y electronica of “Someone Great,” but in LCD fashion, it’s cryptic whom he is referencing as it contains the confusing line, “You’re smaller than my wife imagined.” On top of wonderful writing it might be worth it to add that Silver is probably the dance record of the year. The filthy funk of the last five minutes of “Us V Them” should be illegal, while “Get Innocuous!” starts the record off with a thumping keyboard groove that builds and builds until the beat explodes into action. Silver is filled start-to-finish with unavoidable hooks, flourishes and intricacies that will keep your heart beating and your energy flowing. What’s more, it’s a rare record that is completely approachable for music aficionados of any genre, making LCD the Moby of the early 21st Century (Murphy has no issue licensing his music, either). The album concludes with Murphy amusingly singing, “New York I love you, but you’re bringing me down.” While he might have his issues with his home city’s cleanliness and mayhem, if Sound of Silver brings you down, you might need to be checked for a pulse. [www.lcdsoundsystem.com]