#13 - Young Team

#13
Artist: Mogwai
Album: Young Team
Year of Release: 1997
Label: Jet Set

I wrote about the reasons behind my bias towards artists' earlier work a few entries ago, but I probably should have saved it for this one.  Mogwai has been making excellent music for more than two decades.  Still, nothing tops the raw energy emanating from their debit album.  Hell, I would even say that their first two tracks top everything else that came after.  "Yes! I am a Long Way from Home" starts off with tongue-in-cheek praise of the band that includes the line "If the stars had a sound, it would sound like this" before launching into a delicate little groove that seems to represent the sound of a literal sunrise.  It's a small an unassuming musical idea done so well and with such light touch that you can't help but fall in love.  Fun fact: I listened to this song on my way to my first day of work in 2007...what a corny boy I was. 

After that we progress to "Like Herod" which I previously listed as my favorite song of all time.  I don't think it retains that title to this day, but it's still the epitome of what "post-rock" can be.  It starts with a simple theme, and then pushes and pulls it through the sonic vacuum a few times until it resolves itself in pure contentment a few minutes later.  The rest of the album is great as well, but all the tricks are on full display before you even get to "Katrien."  Which is nice I guess because you'll know if you're in or out on Mogwai real quick.