Rock Action
The Glaswegian lads in Mogwai continue to tinker with their instrumental rock formula. WhereasYoung Teamfeatured the loud-soft dynamic gleaned fromVelvet UndergroundandCome On Die YoungcoppedSonic Youth's moody experimentalism,Rock Actionadds a dash ofYo La Tengo's hushed ambience andFlaming Lips' studio-savvy playfulness (no surprise there--Rock Actionwas produced by Lips collaborator andMercury Rev-ster David Fridmann.) Despite quoting from such a heavy lineup of musical mischief makers, Mogwai craft their own sound, largely due to the melodic narratives they conjure up in the interplay between the three guitarists. With hardly a spoken whisper in the mix, they manage to create great moments of   drama, tension, and resolution. "Take Me Somewhere Nice" is a meandering journey toward the promised land, "You Don't Know Jesus" wanders with mystical and loopy abandon, and "Secret Pint" thrums in stately glory. One of the great things about Mogwai is that they are still so damned young--if they continue to kick against the pricks of their own invention we'll be hearing much more inventive and wonderful music from them in years to come.--Tod Nelson