Album Details

• Artist: Lcd Soundsystem
• Album: This Is Happening
• Label:
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: tosnob on 2010-05-19

What he's come up with is an album that is much more eclectic than his previous efforts. The droning electronic beats have been scaled back significantly, replaced with a more diverse set of textures, and frankly vibes that provide a more consistently engaging listen.

The album opener "Dance Yrself Clean" is a perfect microcosm of the record. Beginning with some of LCD Soundsystem's most organic, album tribal rhythms, the track twists and turns before bursting forth as an electro-groover. "I Can Change" seamlessly incorporates an '80s techno pop feel to create a near Smiths level of hopelessness (which works, especially since the album art looks like the cover of a lost Smiths' record).

Playful rock-oriented tracks like "Drunk Girls" and "All I Want" bring guitars to the fore and allow a melodic pop flare to be heard, one that has all too often been drowned out beneath wave after wave of electronics.

Of course nothing's perfect. The techno of "One Touch" is beat-heavy to the point of being sterile. The bland delivery of "You Wanted a Hit" is disappointing, but in its defense that may have been the entire point of the track. Regardless of intent, it doesn't make one want to visit the song for repeated listens.

This Is Happening is a case though where diversity is a wonderful thing. After all, in the intervening years the music industry has caught up to LCD Soundsystem. Rather than run the risk of sounding dated and behind the times, Murphy and company have taken a shot at casting their musical net further afield. For the most part it works.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2010-07-22 roundelay Said:

After the release of the critically acclaimed Sound of Silver, LCD Soundsystem's followup was in position to be one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Yet, the times, sonically speaking, had begun to catch up with frontman James Murphy, forcing him to find a new angle. Murphy has done just that with his new release. This is Happening is markedly more eclectic than previous releases. As such, it has produced some of his strongest and most creative tracks. The opener Dance Yrself Clean is a perfect, upbeat mashup of all the skewed beats and emotive vocals for which Murphy is known. Drunk Girls may be too offbeat to be taken seriously initially but holds its own after repeated listening. Yet, the playful genius apparent in This is Happening is hampered by a slight lack of focus and an overwrought second half. There are several occasions where what would sound inspired at three minutes, begins to be a bit of a repetitive slog once the track hits the eight minute mark. And while One Touch and I Can Change do manage to stay musically interesting, they lack a little personality. In all, This is Happening offers a step in the right direction for Murphy, a solid addition to LCD Soundsystem's discography and a couple of tracks that are well deserving of repeat listens.
Rating: 8/10