all you folks who are disappointed in this album and don't think it lives up to their other stuff are wrong, completely and utterly wrong. This album is damn near perfect, and contains some of Mogwai's finest work. I mean how the hell can you not get amped up by Glasgow Mega-Snake? and how can Friend of the Night not give you shivers during the piano parts? Travel is Dangerous? Folk Death 95? both awesome tracks. Those of you who didn't like this album are seriously missing out.… Expand

Hypnotic and interesting, artful and always cool.

2006 is probably the year with the best CD releases for a long time! Mr. Beast is probably the best of the best!

mogwai is starting to become the most overrated band that all of my friends like but actually really isn't that bad, but definitely very overrated. nothing beats young team.

Mogwai has hit most of the right notes with the release of Mr. Beast. It is interesting to see how the difference in opinion fluctuates so much among fans and the press, but one thing is clear. Mr. Beast has cut down the length of the songs and moved on to shorter and bolder image with louder sound to create the same epic Mogwai members have been pursuing. Though, the album still is lacking when it comes to effectively creating the modd for the listeners.… Expand

Mogwai have ditched those build-ups that we're all used to hearing from them, for a more straigh-up-no-noise type noise that works a treat. Songs like 'Auto Rock' and 'Friend of the Night' are Mogwai at their best. There's still that viscereal sound that attacks your ears, it's just hits you quicker than expected, because of the shortness of the songs. Amazing album. Album of the year thus far.… Expand

Young Team and Rock action are fairly ok, if rather mediocre, records. This one is just crap all the way! Once Mogwai wore t-shirts saying "Blur:are shite", which is funny cos I'm wearing one now saying "Mogwai: are shite". Compared to this horrible album even the much-dreaded "country house" is a timeless pop masterpiece..

So I got my punched-out plat de resistance and just enough melodious hors-d'oeuvre to enjoy the deepening, if not the spreading texture, of their own sound. Stagnant they are not though you shall recognize the intellectual post-rock focused on the visceral. Phlegmatic punk perhaps? Nah It's more Mogwai.

Sorry [Anonymous] but Mogwai are hardly post rock. Did someone tell you they were post rock and did you believe them. Anyway, great album, but I prefer Happy Songs.

Mogwai's best, but still lacks something.

C'mon what else is out there that is a patch on this. Maybe not a masterpiece, but you've got to compare with the competition....

A good album, but a disappointing one in light of all the hype that preceded it - ie, that it was to be a merging of noisy guitar and melody to rival My Bloody Valentine. It does have strong loud moments like "Glasgow Mega-Snake" and "We're No Here" and nice bits like "Travel is Dangerous", but much of it feels like Mogwai could have recorded it in their sleep; the languid tempos and tried-and-true dynamics make the songs blend together and hard to distinguish from similar work on "Happy Songs". Still worth buying for the high-points, but don't expect to be blown away.… Expand

Weak. There is so much better Post-Rock out there, Mogwai are burnt out.Young Team and Cody trample over their recent releases.

This is the kind of album you will listen for months without ever getting bored of. It's complete, simple but melodically innovative; their most accomplished work yet.

Unlike "Rock action" & "Happy songs", this album has the stregth to make you wanna hear it again and again. Also has some of the best songs Morwai ever recorded!

This album is the future.

Among their best albums, i would reccomend listening to it front to back rather than picking songs out... It, however, is no young team or Rock action.

the critiques of this album take two forms: either it's too unlike the bombastic, longwinded early albums or too similar to their prettier albeit tamer later work. i happen to think it mixes and refines the best of both eras all the while offering a few big surprises (tracks 2-4). if any band other than mogwai made this album, these nostalgic critics would absolutely be fawning over it. fans of their entire catalog will likely be pleased, and i think some new ones will be won over. BTW, i saw them live last week and they rocked my skin off.… Expand

Great album, probably the best since Young Team but the two can't really be compared. Mogwai have evolved a lot, but this album is consistent and appropriately heavy. Anyone who likes post-rock or instrumental indie should pick it up.

Very well done.

It's no Young Team, but it is there most accessible which is a very good thing for Mogwai.