ATP Recordings
There’s a point where ear-splitting noise takes on new shapes and alternate forms and rather than continuing to hurt actually turns into something beautiful. In their earliest years Mogwai were masters of pulling it off (see Mogwai Fear Satan for starters) and Fuck Buttons open Street Horrrsing with the major-key fuzzbox of “Sweet Love for Planet Earth” very nearly accomplishing that level of noisy beauty without a stitch of percussion.
Once “Ribs Out” reveals its jungle click-clack rhythms and monkey howls however Street Horrrsing runs out of steam — not to mention ideas. “Bright Tomorrow” brings the proceedings back up (after the droning “Race You To My Bedroom / Spirit Rise”) by flirting with danceable textures but by the time “Colours Move” fades (the ringing in one’s ears takes a little longer) you’ll feel the pull towards Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music the next time you need the world’s most uncomfortable dinner party.
