NOW PLAYING: Mogwai, Rock Action (Matador, 2001)

The Details: Mogwai, Rock Action (Matador, 2001)

A Quick Review: Aside from a gnarled noise interlude (the rather literal “Robot Chant”) and the occasional guitar outburst, this is one of Mogwai’s most streamlined albums. The band also brings out their ghost-in-the-machine side with shock therapy effects and vocoder vocals that are streaked in oily robot tears. One other point of interest here: Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals, Neon Neon) guests on “Dial:Revenge” for a serious Wales/Scotland showdown, so that one’s worth a look for sure.