This Is Happening

LCD Soundsystem
This Is Happening
9 out of 10

According to James Murphy, this will be the final LCD Soundsystem record, as, in his words, most bands only really have three great records in them. I'm not sure about the truth in that statement, but I would say that sounds about accurate; although I am sure there are countless exceptions to that rule. Based on this record though, I would hope Mr. Murphy's words were only in jest, as he continues to make better music each new time.

This Is Happening is not as immediately striking as Sound of Silver, mainly because the debut album read more as a collection of singles and Sound of Silver was truly an original and complete release. Stylistically it is not so much a departure but a fine honing of the strengths. The song writing is clearer, although it appears Mr. Murphy is in a bit of a contemplative mood. Perhaps, thinking he has taken LCD Soundsystem as far as he can take it (I would vehemently argue with him against that assessment), he is reflecting on where that leaves him as an artist. The lyrics have many such sentiments: "Everybody's getting younger/It's the end of an era, it's true" ("Dance Yrself Clean"); "You look in the bed; you've been gone for too long/To put in the time, but it's too late to make it strong" ("All I Want"); "Yeah you wanted it smart/But honestly, I'm not smart/No, honestly, we're never smart/We fake it, fake it all the time" ("You Wanted A Hit").

This Is Happening has been called LCD Soundsystem's Berlin Record or Bowie Record. Aside from "All I Want," which is pretty much an homage to "Heroes," it doesn't really "sound" like a Bowie record, however, it does have a sort of Bowie feel to it. Murphy is too original to make an outright pantomime of another artist.



I love opener "Dance Yrself Clean," which begins minimally with percussion and synth bass, and takes almost 3 minutes to erupt with sharp drumming and analog techno synth stabs.



Most of the tracks on This Is Happening are long, but they never overstay their welcome. Murphy knows how to pace a song and an album. And it is done as a sort of backhanded flip off to record companies and radio who would like artists to fit within a certain mold. "You Wanted A Hit" is a 9 minute single that is anything but a radio friendly song; though it is a highlight on the album.



While the lyrical content of the album is somewhat morose for Murphy, it doesn't mean that the album is not fun. There are some great dance tracks.





"Drunk Girls" is similar to other LCD tracks like "North American Scum," but it is so much fun it is easily forgiven. Plus the video is a riot.



Amazingly, for a one man show (Murphy plays all the instruments on record and hires session players for his live act), the album is very tight musically. Even more amazing, is how tight they are as a live act, being that they don't play together on a daily basis. I was able to catch their set at Coachella and it was practically brilliant. Here is hoping that this is not the swansong for LCD Soundsystem. I think there is a lot of juice left in the band and want Murphy to continue this tremendous run he has been having.