GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS: BBC SESSIONS 1996-2003

"Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003" is a compilation album release by Scottish post-rock act Mogwai. The album was released through PIAS Recordings/Rock Action Records in February 2005 and contains sessions recorded for the BBC Radio between 1996 and 2003 as the title also suggests. "Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003" features 10 tracks and a total playing time of 67:00 minutes. Many of the tracks were recorded for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel´s program the Peel Sessions, and the compilation is dedicated to his memory (Peel died of a heart attack in October 2004). Peel is heard introducing the band before album opener "Hunted by a Freak" starts.

The song selection on any compilation album can always be discussed but the quality of the recordings is arguably of a good quality. "Hunted by a Freak" opens the album in great style but a song like the 18:32 minutes long "Like Herod" is also an album highlight. To my ears this live version easily beats the original studio version. "Superheroes of BMX" also stands out as being a different sounding track and a welcome variation on the album. The music is guitar oriented and mostly instrumental post-rock. There are vocals on "Cody" though but not on "R U Still in 2 It?" which featured vocals on the original studio version from "Young Team (1997)".

The musicianship is strong on all positions. Mogwai have always understood that little is better and they get a lot out of the few notes they play. It´s all about atmosphere, slow build-ups, and clever songwriting. "Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003" is not the best place to start if you´re new to the band as it predominantly features live versions of material from the early years of the band but it is overall a pretty good compilation of songs by "Mogwai". A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.