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Rave Tapes
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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: The eighth full-length release for the Scottish post-rock band was produced with Paul Savage.
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Blues Hour
My ghost is Always hungry, My soul is over apart. Train lines Going nowhere, No destination found. Is this a final home? Compensation, Delivery... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Exclaim
    Jan 21, 2014
    90
    Once adjusted to the band's change in dynamics, you're left with the distinct feeling that this is perhaps their most engrossing effort since the Young Team's debut.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jan 21, 2014
    80
    Mogwai’s nuanced focus is largely dependent upon the illusion of synthetic expansion rather than their trademarked barebones guitar-band meandering on Rave Tapes.
  3. The Guardian
    Jan 16, 2014
    80
    Mogwai, those consistent providers of dirge and delicate depression, have made an excellent follow up to 2011's Hardcore Will Never Die, on which they seem to be recalling a rave of sorts.
  4. The 405
    Jan 24, 2014
    80
    Each record provides exactly what you want (and a little bit more) and this should be applauded. Whether you're a seasoned fan or only just discovering the band for the first time Rave Tapes deserves a spot in your collection.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 14, 2014
    75
    Rave Tapes doesn’t quite reach the euphoric heights of Hardcore Will Never Die, but it is an elaborate and intelligent album from a group that isn’t interested in grabbing their listeners by the scruff of their collective neck anymore; instead, today’s Mogwai are purveyors of nuance and subtlety, and fine ones at that.
  6. AllMusic
    Jan 21, 2014
    70
    Rave Tapes takes a while to hit its stride, but it delivers plenty of moments to keep fans intrigued once it does.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 21, 2014
    40
    They are pros, the best at what they do, but this is running on empty.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. jamesweber
    Jan 21, 2014
    10
    Have you heard the new Daft Punk album? This album reminds me of a post-rock version of that. No lyrics, obviously, because it's post-rock.Have you heard the new Daft Punk album? This album reminds me of a post-rock version of that. No lyrics, obviously, because it's post-rock. But the electronic elements remind me of some of the same moods of the new DP. Interesting... highly recommended.… Expand
  2. Frikomid
    Jan 22, 2014
    10
    I can't stop listening to this album. It may not be the best thing done by Mogwai. This album is more "electronic" than the previous albums,I can't stop listening to this album. It may not be the best thing done by Mogwai. This album is more "electronic" than the previous albums, but it works perfectly.… Expand
  4. Haverford
    Jan 26, 2014
    10
    With Mogwai, it's always been "either you get it or you don't" or maybe more "either their music moves you or it doesn't". If you love theirWith Mogwai, it's always been "either you get it or you don't" or maybe more "either their music moves you or it doesn't". If you love their earlier stuff, I'm pretty sure this one will do it for you too. They're exploring slightly new terrain here, but it's still good old Mogwai. Stately, atmospheric, cinematic, intense...… Expand
  5. Ricko
    Feb 27, 2015
    7
    I saw Mogwai once, at Glastonbury 2003 I think. I was with a friend who was into them and wanted to go see them. It was a Friday afternoonI saw Mogwai once, at Glastonbury 2003 I think. I was with a friend who was into them and wanted to go see them. It was a Friday afternoon slot if I remember correctly and there wasn't much else on so I went along. The band left no real impression on me - the gig was mildly enjoyable but didn't really engage me. The whole thing was inoffensive and drifted past without me really noticing. I never felt compelled to follow up this gig by listening to any of their albums. Anyway - over a decade later, "Rave Tapes" comes into my possession, an album with moderately decent reviews so I give it some listening time. Things haven't changed much for me and Mogwai in 10 plus years. Rave Tapes is decent and mildly enjoyable without really grabbing my attention at any point. Plenty of decent material, only the occasional stinker (the album really dips towards the very end) but nothing of any real note. This is the only Mogwai album I've listened to properly so perhaps I'm doing them an injustice but my impression based on one gig and one album is that they are highly talented but not the most imaginative. At their best they look to fuse heavy rock with Kraftwerk styled electronica but never in a way that sets them apart in their own right. You could listen to worse.… Expand
  6. Custom_Concerns
    Jan 21, 2014
    6
    Rave Tapes is enjoyable atmospherically, but it lacks gripping instrumentation to keep me returning to it - something that needs to be presentRave Tapes is enjoyable atmospherically, but it lacks gripping instrumentation to keep me returning to it - something that needs to be present on an instrumental album.… Collapse
  7. nicholasbert
    Jan 21, 2014
    6
    When you make instrumental music you need to make sure that your songs are strong enough to support the lack of emotion that inevitablyWhen you make instrumental music you need to make sure that your songs are strong enough to support the lack of emotion that inevitably follows the lack of words, and although "Rave Tapes" is strong and confident, it doesn't take off.

    Now, I understand that Mogwai are post-rock's darlings, so they'll probably never get a bad review from a critic, but we need to ask ourselves if this record would have ever been published if it were a debut album by an unknown band.    … Expand
  8. El_Mastero
    Jan 26, 2014
    1
    This is plain and simple hipster fodder nonsense. Are you posy and pretentious? Then looks like you'll have to fake love for this sh*itstainThis is plain and simple hipster fodder nonsense. Are you posy and pretentious? Then looks like you'll have to fake love for this sh*itstain of a record. Good luck with that.… Expand

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