YOUNG TEAM

Mogwai's debut is certainly one of the better post rock records and it held high promises for the future. Without wanting to be' a party pooper, the least that can be said is that those promises have only been partially filled after nine years. Although Mogwai is a rather normal and conventional post rock group nowadays, at the release of the album, there were serious hints that they would innovate and find their own sound quite quickly! Alas, they chose to follow the route of Constellation Records label's stars GYBE! or DMST instead of trying some thing like Fly Pan Am. But I am reaching too far ahead as this is valid for later Mogwai albums and this is supposed to be a review of Young Team.

This young Scottish band (and this is rather surprising since most post-rock groups are from the new world) was among the first to develop what is now almost considered the standard post rock sound with heavy, sober and dark ambiances. Although the artwork sleeve suggests a Japanese influence, there is not much of the sort on this album - well maybe the title of the opening track, but little else. What sets this debut apart from the usual post-rock production are the few experimental moments such as the track With Portfolio with its bizarre yet appealing doodlings and the presence of sung vocals on a few other tracks. So if their sound still sticks to the average post rock sound, Mogwai will clearly influence also Explosions In The Sky who will copy their real psychey guitar and vocals.

So with Young Team, Mogwai managed a strong debut and raised a few highbrows, but unfortunately to these ears, this is so far their best album (Rock Action is good also) - I admit that I have not heard all of their following albums - but hardly groundbreaking