CD Review: LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver”

CD Review: LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver”

Dance

LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver” (Capitol)

Much like Beck during his "Midnite Vultures” period, LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy is a master at synthesizing culture and deploying in-jokes at 120 beats per minute. LCD's second disc, "Sound of Silver” strikes a genius accord between monster dance grooves and the wit expected from a man who once turned down a shot at writing for "Seinfeld.” Murphy is too smart as both a writer and musician to just settle for quilting references together, so "Sound of Silver” ends up being a great Mensa party record.

"Get Innocuous!” celebrates "fitting in” and references the African "high life” rhythms and sonorous harmonies of the Brian Eno/Talking Heads classic "Remain in Light.” "North American Scum” pilfers from Pete Shelley's "Homosapien” and slings barbs at Canadian/U.S. relations, and is impossible to shake.

Murphy's calling card is sarcasm set to irresistible beats. On the piano ballad "New York, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down,” he delivers a venomous screed worthy of early Randy Newman, proving that LCD Soundsystem's "Sound of Silver” can chuck the drum machines and play it straight and nasty.

— George Lang