Special Moves

Live-album/concert-film combos tend to mark certain memorable occasions: significant anniversaries, a special performance in a historic venue or a massive world tour with an obscenely expensive stage show. Mogwai's first live package-- a concert recording, Special Moves, and a DVD companion, Burning, with a different tracklist-- does not adhere to any of the above criteria. On the surface, it's simply a document of a band in their 14th year, touring behind their least remarkable album to date-- and as far as mythic locations go, the Music Hall of Williamsburg ain't exactly Pompeii. Judging by the wide array of physical/digital purchasing options available on the band's website, the real purpose of this release is to test out new e-commerce possibilities for the band.

With much of Mogwai’s recent output having fallen uncharacteristically flat, one could be forgiven for thinking that this release, a live album and DVD set, signals the once-great band finally running out of ideas. Yet while Special Moves/Burning offers nothing in the way of new material, it serves as a timely reminder of Mogwai’s immense talent and eternal ability to inspire.