Rock Action (album)

Rock Action is the third full-length studio album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.

Overview

This effort was one of Mogwai's most commercially successful albums, and is considered among their most accessible releases. Rock Action brought with it some changes to Mogwai's sound that they would continue to develop later, including the use of electronic instruments. While song structures on this CD are typical of the band in most cases and respects, some of the contrasting dynamics have been toned down slightly and many of the songs focus more on texture than on structure. For the first time, Mogwai utilised electronic drums and synthesisers, expanding their timbral palette. The single "Dial: Revenge" fills much the same role that "Cody" did on Come on Die Young, featuring (Welsh-language) vocals from Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals (When the inside cover is unfolded part of the logo for Mwng, an album by Super Furry Animals released the previous year, can be seen). The sound of Rock Action is somewhat less dark than previous works, but maintains Mogwai's cryptic cynicism.

The album's title come's from Iggy Pop's nickname for his Stooges bandmate, Scott Asheton. Pop had at times referred to him as "Rock" Asheton, or "Rock Action". He later changed his name to this nickname.

Track listing

1. "Sine Wave" – 4:57
2. "Take Me Somewhere Nice" – 6:57
3. "O I Sleep" – 0:57
4. "Dial: Revenge" – 3:30
5. "You Don't Know Jesus" – 8:04
6. "Robot Chant" – 1:05
7. "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" – 9:33
8. "Secret Pint" – 3:37
9. "Untitled" (Japanese bonus track) - 7:16
10. "Close Encounters" (Japanese and Brazilian bonus track) – 3:54

Mogwai

• Dominic Aitchison
• Stuart Braithwaite
• Martin Bulloch
• Barry Burns
• John Cummings

Additional musicians

• David Pajo - backing vocals on "Take Me Somewhere Nice"
• Gruff Rhys - vocals on "Dial: Revenge", backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong"
• The Remote Viewer - programming and banjo on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong"
• Willie Campbell, Charlie Clark, Gary Lightbody - backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong"
• Mitchell Brawley - strings and horns on "Take Me Somewhere Nice" and "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong"
• Dave Fridmann - strings and horns on "Dial: Revenge" and "Secret Pint"

Credits

• Produced and mixed by Dave Fridmann
• Recorded by Dave Fridmann and Tony Doogan
• Recorded and mixed at Tarbox Road Studios, Cassadega, NY
• Additional recording at Cava Studios, Glasgow and Sorcerer Sound, NY
• Assistant engineers: Willie Deans at Cava and Bill Racine at Sorcerer Sound
• All songs written by Mogwai except "Dial: Revenge" by Mogwai/Gruff Rhys
• Design and art by Vella Design
• Photography by Steve Gullick