Ten Rapid

轟音と静寂が鳴り響く、唯一無二のオリジナル・サウンドで数々の名作を世に送り出してきたモグワイ。本作はそんな彼らの初期音源を集めたコンピレーション・アルバム!(オリジナル発売1997年)名盤となった過去7枚のアルバムと数々の伝説的なライヴを通し、ギター・インストゥルメンタルという最小限のフォーマットで独自のロックを表現してきたイギリス・グラスゴーの至宝モグワイ。デビュー・アルバム『モグワイ・ヤング・チーム』リリース以前のシングルを中心に構成された本作では既にモグワイ・サウンドが確立されており、ライヴの定番曲を含む必聴作!

Mogwai's first album-length release was the compilation TEN RAPID. Intended for the U.S. market, the album collects tracks from the band's early singles and compilation appearances--though collectors may want to note that several tracks were re-recorded for inclusion here. Those early singles made a huge splash in England, their dense sonics prompting critical comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, and other progenitors of the shoegazer movement. As with much of Mogwai's catalogue, the tracks here are mostly instrumentals, and even on the few with vocals, the lyrics receive no more weight in the mix than any other element.
Standouts include "Summer", in which a centre section of feverish, high-speed drumming and paint-peeling guitar blurs is book-ended by a slow build-up and fadeout of atmospheric pop, punctuated intermittently by grinding bursts of noise; "New Paths to Helicon PT. 1", a languorous instrumental with the odd loud bit and the most subtle, minute-long fade this side of classical music ("New PathsaPT. 2" is an abbreviated version of "PT. 1"); and "End", which suggests "New PathsaPT. 2" played backwards and with its shiny bits toned down, though oddly affecting nonetheless.|

Ten Rapid compiles the bulk of the singles Mogwai released between 1995 and 1997, but the tone of the music is so consistent, it could have all come from the same session. Like a post-rock band, Mogwai is about subtle, shifting sonics and repetition, but they are hardly as precious or cerebral as any post-rock group. Each of their songs sounds as if it goes around in a circle, surrounding itself in interlocking, mathematical patterns. While there are waves of feedback washing over the album, the music itself sounds like it's in the distance. Their habit of burying vocals (which aren't featured that often in the first place) also keeps Mogwai from reach, and nothing on Ten Rapid is immediately engaging, even though it is intriguing. With repeated listens, the album reveals its hidden layers, and the music becomes hypnotic in its gradual, deliberate pace and interwoven guitars. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine