Customer Reviews

Ten Rapid

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my view if only one Mogwai disc graces your collection this arguably should be it. Unlike many albums that are immediately likable but fade quickly, something about Ten Rapid endures and gains strength with every listen. Maybe it's the haunting melodies that swim gracefully through crashing waves of noise, or the dynamic shadings that go from meloncholic whispers to ripping chaos and then settle again into deep blue washes of calm. This disc has managed to just beat Mogwai's Young Team to the CD player almost every time on the strength of pieces like "Tuner", where the simple chord changes deliver goosebumps, and "End", where the deeply beautiful theme of "Helicon 2" is reworked into a masterpiece of subtle profundity. Definitely a "must have".

The whole CD is definitely nice, but I find myself skipping over 'Angles v. Aliens' 'I Am Batman' and 'Tuner' most of the time. Fine songs, but not the best. I could (and have) listen(ed) to 'Helicon 2' for hours. 'Summer' is excellent, much better than the remix on Young Team. 'Helicon 1' is very good, if a little forced, always putting me in the mind of the home of the muses. 'Ithaca' gets pretty heavy in a good way, a little different from any other Mogwai I've heard. 'A Place for Parks' is pleasant and just disoncerting enough to warrant repeat listenings. 'End' is damn cool.

I wouldn't recommend this as an intro to Mogwai- Young Team or Government Commissions would be better, I think. But the Helicons, Ithaca, End, and Summer are high up on my short list of favorite songs. Anyone who likes other Mogwai would almost surely not regret having bought this.

After listening to thousands of noise records (mostly Sonic Youth, Screaming Trees and Shonen Knife) I realize this is one of the genere's most valuable piece. Mogwai presents a form of noise never seen before quite much like this: cymbals creating a pleasant and warm atmosphere, drums only keeping you notice of their existance with one or two soft beats every once in a while, guitars played very sofly as well so that you can understand this is a record to listen to at 5 in the morning; but then all of a sudden the guitars start howling a distorted but beautifully melodic cacophony and the snare drum make it's first appearances. The last drops or rage are dripping from your cheeck, your pillow gets wet from crying, but there it is, Mogwai's Ten Rapid, giving you a beautiful reason not to go for it. A reason to stay alive at least to see the sun rise up, listening to "Helicon 2" or any other of the most beautiful songs...

The perfect balance between adrenalin and a dream for cold weather.

I know, I know. I should like Young Team. I should like Come On Die Young. But I can't help but feel that some of Mogwai's best material is on this disc. The beautiful "Summer", the powerful "Ithica", and of course the classic "Helicon 1" are all brilliant pieces of mogwai's catalogue. Don't be hatin' this disc - I purchased this mid-way through my mogwai listening career and was not dissapointed at all.

2 1/2 stars

Even before an official debut, these young lads from scotland were already proving their relationship with music far exceeded their peers..Yes this is probally the least amazing of Mogwai's catalouge, but within the subtlties you see the ingrediants that would help make Mogwai one of the standout bands of the new millenium..This album has more breezy, relaxed tracks then what we are used to dealing with when plunging into the abyss with these guys, however the essence of the band and it's die hard philosphy of letting a composition breath as long as it needs to is in full effect. Amazing that a band so young could be so sincere in it's goal of pure audio immersion.

With the songs all short they don't really have room to roam around - there needs to be some sort of space within them. As it stands it sounds a bit too cramped and compressed. There would be much better stuff to come from Mogwai. This shows they had potential.....they just needed a little bit of space

The original version of Summer found on this mini album, is, in my opinion the better of the two due to it's sharper contrasts. From there, the mini album moves to the slow and beautiful Helicon 2, to the awesome Angels vs Aliens which climaxes astonishingly with sheer noise played over what sounds like chimes. On the whole, i love this mini album and think it is every bit as good as the two full albums. If you can, buy all three at once, you'll be impressed, if not, get this and Come on Die Young, Young Team can wait as it tends to get boring, unlike this and CODY.

And so here are Mogwai. A scottish band with a totally original style, no-one can decide weather they are rock or dance, but originality is not always good. These guys pull it off, and this is an album which compliments everyone's collection. In particular check out the brilliant mix of Summer... I can not decide if it is better than the original version (as seen on Young Team). In the end, if you have Young Team and like it then definately buy this. If you do not have Young Team, then buy it first.

Dee

You know, I liked Eska a lot - it was in those early Chemikal Underground days and I was quite lucky to see Stu's last gig with Eska supporting Rocket From the Crypt in Glasgow - at least the singer said it was his last gig, so I think that's true! As a side track, RFTC were amazing. Anyway, I kinda ignored Mogwai for a long time after, despite my best mate telling me they were f#cken A.

To the point - Rapid Ten is top shelf stuff.

I'm in butt f#ck Australia just now, but can't wait to grab a hold of the Zidane DVD. Mogwai + football = yeah.

Enjoy.

I have this sound buried deep in my subconscious. It comes to me in dreams, a primal howl that I cannot emit in waking life but wish I could, because it would provide rushing cathartic relief in a moment to every sadness I've ever felt. "Helicon 1" is the closest I've ever gotten to reaching this catharsis.

Ten Rapid is not an album proper, but rather a collection of Mogwai's early singles before they released the classic "Young Team."