This Is Happening - LCD Soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem thrives on repetition.  The percussion is understated but absorbing, the lyrics are simple but not dull and recycled, then suddenly the music explodes.  There are verses and that large overpowering plastic electronic sound found on the dancefloor.  I prefer the former, but music with stark changes somehow always works.  The synths are almost comical and his voice almost a mockery of the 80s (maybe David Byrne-esque, A-ha, Duran Duran, something to that effect), but the production is so tight in the first track and the length (8:56) is enough to convince me that he's not out to copy and create a radio ready pop chart hit from that era, but rather bask in the synthetic sounds he enjoys, and admittedly after a certain amount of exposure so do I. 

"Drunk Girls" is silly and playful like the title would suggest.  "One Touch" is for mindless dancing.  The vocals are blunt, spoken brusquely.  "All I Want" starts off slowly and is a bit sweeter than the songs so far.  It establishes Jame Murphy place in the indie scene and explains why he has such a following there. 

"I Can Change" has that Talking Heads vibe I like so much.  I've heard this one on the radio a few times and it always manages to find its way into that part of my brain where only another incredibly catchy song can erase it.  Here, I think the melody takes center stage, whereas on the rest of the album it seems to be the manufactured dance beats, but rest assured, the vocals are supplemented perfectly and plenty by them here too. 

"You Wanted a Hit" is surreal. This is in part due to the pentatonicism in high pitched notes and the long instrumental intro.  Don't worry if its not your thing, I enjoyed it and thought it broke up the album well, it soon turns into a basic drum track, easily accessible although the lyrics are caustic towards musical pop culture. 

"Somebody's Calling Me" is eerily like a broadway showtune except that its electrified, highly dissonant, and becomes increasingly melancholy instead of uping the tempo and energy like a showtune would.  It's one of the more interesting songs. 

Get up and dance to "Pow Pow" and "Home" but don't expect to be awed.  The hype seems to be over his immediately preceding album, Sound of Silver, and if it's better than this it's worth a listen. 

Murphy shows creativity and a penchant for catchy beats without the bubblegum that's definitely worth a listen or two if for nothing else, to tap your feet to.