Happy Songs For Happy People

I’d better confess that ever since I heard the 4 Satin EP in winter 1996, Mogwai have been my favourite emergent band of recent years, up there alongside Welsh wizards Super Furry Animals. The Scotsmen made my album of 1999, Come on Die Young and single of 2001, ‘My Father, My King’ – not to mention providing a good few t-shirts, button badges and hoodies in my closet. Happy Songs For Happy People is their best album yet. Happy days.

Aside from my delirious ranting, the influence of Mogwai has spread like the common cold over the last couple of years. Cock a listen to the Rednecks, Estel, Jimmy Cake, Connect 4 Orchestra, Maersk, Rollers/Sparkers – or any of the half a dozen instrumental bands to be found in every town in Ireland – and you’ll the ‘Gwai permeating through in some subtle way. Sure, they didn’t patent post-rock or whatever you call it yourself, but ever since they first surfed those soaring soundscapes that exploded with no given warning, their contribution has been immense.

Happy Songs For Happy People is best summed up by John Cumming, full-time six-string lieutenant of the Scottish Guitar Army: “it is like a wave that never breaks.”

Their fourth studio album is thing of compact, condensed beauty. The sprawling sound-collages of the past have been refined and painted with more assurance and depth. The young team has matured and become more proficient – yet daring. ‘Ratts of the Capital’ (sic) shows just how great they’ve become, brimming with textures and ambience. It’s not about quiet/loud or slow/fast anymore – it’s about sounding awesome. This is like their 2001 album Rock Action only a lot, lot better.

Glasgow should be proud of this lot. Hopefully by the time you read this, that great city’s Celtic Football Club, established 1888, will also be UEFA Cup Champions 2003. If not, we’ve still got Happy Songs For Happy People – ample cause for celebration in itself.