Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000M3452Y
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,984 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #29 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Electronica
  • #31 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Electronic Pop
  • #95 in Music > Music Deals > $8.99 and Under

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Two years after LCD Soundsystem's eponymous full-length debut sent indie scenesters rushing to the dancefloor, the outfit headed by dance-rock producer James Murphy serves up another stiff cocktail of punk, dance, and funk with Sound of Silver. Analog synths, chugging basslines, chunky guitars, and Murphy's wild falsetto excursions are once again the foundation to which is added the new and strange, such as the heavily chorused voices that suggest backward-masking in the opener "Get Innocuous" and the captivating harmonics keyboardist Nancy Whang bounces off of Murphy's vocals on "Someone Great." If this album has its own version of "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," it has to be "North American Scum," an infectious stormer that breezily dismisses Europe as a place where "the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes." Such lines are good evidence that LCD's music would rather ridicule itself than fall into the kind of pretense and nostalgia it constantly lampoons. The album's title track reflects that hankering after one's teenage years is often interrupted when "you remember the feelings of a real live emotional teenager--then you think again," while the power ballad "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" wearily serenades the Big Apple as "still the one pool where I'd happily drown." True, LCD's music is not for everyone, which may have something to do with why their fans love them as they do. If you fall into the latter category, however, Silver is gold. --Brent Kallmer

Product Description

James Murphy, aka LCD Soundsystem, returns with his highly anticipated new album Sound of Silver on DFA Records. Murphy recorded Sound of Silver, the follow-up to the massively acclaimed eponymous debut, over the summer of 2006 at an upstate New York farm with the help of the odd periodic visitor from the city (live band members Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney, and Tyler Pope). Between the silver foil-covered walls, nine tracks were crafted into what will surely be regarded as one of the pinnacle albums of 2007. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys and the BRIT Awards..., March 20, 2007

By 

justmoi (New York,N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sound of Silver (Audio CD)

James Murphy has like, totally, outdone his debut with this fantabulous soundclash between the Talking Heads, Scissor Sisters, Trail Of The Dead, Flaming Lips and just about every decent British electronic band who plugged in an analogue synth in the Eighties.

This is a rock record, made with technology as ancient and relevant as old Les Paul guitars and valve amplifiers, which also happens to be great to dance or drive to, and is possibly even more conducive to just sitting down and listening. Accompanied by furious head nodding, obviously.

'North American Scum' is a shockingly perceptive song, and a timely reminder that the US does not have an exclusively Midwestern mentality.

The title track pulses with social satire while lampooning the basso profundo pretensions of the Human League and Heaven 17, but it is all sweetness and light next to the damning tribute to the Big Apple that closes the record. "Like a rat in a cage pulling minimum wage," croons Murphy on 'New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down', before a surprise second ending, sounding like a Glitter Band encore. And there aren't many of those these days.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rrhythmic and throbbing., April 2, 2007

By 

Vishal Bhartia - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sound of Silver (Audio CD)

Don't talk to James Murphy about maturity. The purveyor of the first cowbell revival of the 21st century has seen it all before. Here, Mr. DFA builds on the success of debut smash `LCD Soundsystem' and relative acclaim of Nike-sponsored jog soundtrack '45:33' to bring in something equal in warm calculation as it is to dance-friendly smiles on your face.

Opener "Get Innocuous" is reminiscent of Casio-chop debut single "Losing My Edge", with tasty space and Telex-induced bassline to boot.
Tour Anthem 2007 duties go to "North American Scum", an affair effectively indebted as much to the glam of Sweet as it is to the post-disco tendencies of 1980s New York City.

Murphy is happy to point out that he might be showing his age.
Although endlessly rhythmic and throbbing, middle-order batter "All My Friends" signals a shift on "Sound Of Silver" from frantic to wistful, (""wouldn't trade one stupid decision/For another five years of life") .
On his deathbed he isn't, but Murphy knows he can't keep miles ahead of the pack forever. Let's hope he never becomes a sweating, faceless member of the chasing dance pelaton.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Sound of Silver" has made me a believer!, March 26, 2007

By 

Cale E. Reneau "audiooverflow.com" (Conroe, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sound of Silver (Audio CD)

James Murphy's 2005 debut as LCD Soundsystem received acclaim from virtually everyone who was willing to lend it an ear. It's flawless production and Murphy's unparalleled ability to craft smart dance music (which is no longer an oxymoron) was appealing to clubbers and hipsters alike. Still, Murphy is not without blemish, as his vocals often make him sound like he's battling a serious case of nasal congestion. This made it very hard for me, someone who really values a good vocalist, to really get into LCD Soundsystem's debut album. Even though I could see the brilliance of it, it wasn't as good as I felt it could have been. "Sound of Silver," however, is the LCD Soundsystem I've always waited for. Though Murphy's vocals are still less than perfect, there's just no denying that this album is one that should be enjoyed for months and months.

"Get Innocuous" immediately showcases Murphy's talents as a dance producer in ways that no other song of his has really done to date. Here, his vocals are at their absolute best, sounding like something straight out of the 80s. On the contrary, "Time to Get Away" features everything that I dislike about his voice. But this is dance music, so vocals are always going to take a backseat. It's not that they're totally unlistenable either, just not optimal. There are other times, however, when the vocals are completely excusable because the song itself is just so awesome.

Take, for example, "North American Scum," one of the best tracks on the album and one of the most fun songs of 2007 thus far. Murphy's tongue-in-cheek humor is unparalleled here, as he sings, "New York's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent, and it's the furthest you can live from the government. Some proud American Christians might disagree, here in north America. But New York's the only place we're keepin them off the street." The song travels from a steady dance beat in the verses to an all-out rock guitar heavy chorus almost effortlessly. It truly is a fantastic song.

"Someone Great" is a synth-heavy masterpiece that once again features Murphy's vocals at their best. In fact, they've never been better than when he's repeating "When someone great is gone!" towards the end of the song. Slowly but surely, he's forming me into a true LCD Soundsystem fan, and I'm loving every minute of it. The frantic piano line that begins "All My Friends" continues throughout it's length and eventually builds into an layer-heavy, semi-anthem that rivals The Killers or U2. It is completely unexpected, yet entirely welcomed!

Truly, "Sound of Silver" is fantastic. It's an album that should be remembered as one of the best dance albums in recent memory and, in my opinion, LCD Soundsystem's best yet! Whether it's the cowbells of "Us v Them," the earnestness of "New York I Love You, but You're Bringing Me Down," the brilliant intricacy of "Sound of Silver," or the undeniably fun sing along of "Watch the Tapes" ("Read all the pamphlets and watch the tapes!"), every second of this album is enjoyable! Sure, I may be a little tough on Murphy's vocal abilities every now and then, but I'm honest enough to admit that "Sound of Silver" is an incredible album! Listen to it, soak it up, enjoy it, dance to it, and rest. Then do it all again! You won't regret it!

Recommended for fans of LCD Soundsystem and anyone who want to hear what good, smart dance music sounds like.

Key Tracks:
1. "Get Innocuous"
2. "North American Scum"
3. "Someone Great"
4. "Watch the Tapes"
5. "New York I Love You, but You're Bringing Me Down"

8 out of 10 Stars