Rock Action is the third studio album by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 30 April 2001 on Matador Records. The album was produced by Dave Fridmann, of the band Mercury Rev, in New York.Beaujon, Andrew (2001) "Mouth Almighty", SPIN, June 2001, retrieved 2010-04-17
Released to critical acclaim, the album reached number twenty-three on the UK Albums Chart and number twenty on the Scottish Albums Chart. The band would later reuse the album's title in naming their own record label, Rock Action Records.
Overview Rock Action brought with it some changes to Mogwai's sound that they would continue to develop later, including the use of electronic instruments. While song structures on this album are typical of the band in most cases and respects, some of the contrasting dynamics have been toned down slightly and many of the songs focus more on texture than on structure. For the first time, Mogwai utilised synthesizers, expanding their timbral palette. The tone of Rock Action is somewhat less dark than previous works, but maintains Mogwai's cryptic cynicism.
The single "Dial: Revenge" features Welsh vocals from Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. Rhys has said of the song title: "I think (Mogwai) were into me writing in Welsh, because they're an instrumental band and they wanted a singer who would be just sounds for most people. Back then, people were still using payphones. When you take a payphone off the hook, on the LCD screen it flashes 'DIAL'. But in Welsh, dial – pronounced 'dee-al' – means revenge. It puts you in a weird place when you're making a phone call. So the song was about that."Pattison, Louis (2011) "", Guardian, February 2011, retrieved 2011-02-24 The song "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" was originally titled "Banjo"."2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" on Bright Light!
Artwork The photographs that make up the artwork for the album were taken in a bar in Glasgow called Nice 'n' Sleazy. When the inside cover is unfolded, part of the logo for Mwng, an album by Super Furry Animals released the previous year, can be seen.
Certifications In 2009, Rock Action was awarded a gold certification from the Independent Music Companies Association, which indicated sales of at least 100,000 copies throughout Europe.
Track listing
Personnel Mogwai Dominic Aitchison – bass Stuart Braithwaite – guitar, vocals Martin Bulloch – drums Barry Burns – guitar, keyboard, vocoder John Cummings – guitar, piano
Additional musicians David Pajo – backing vocals on "Take Me Somewhere Nice" Gruff Rhys – vocals on "Dial: Revenge", backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" The Remote Viewer – programming and banjo on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" Willie Campbell – backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" Charlie Clark – backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" Gary Lightbody – backing vocals on "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" Michael Brawley – strings and horns on "Take Me Somewhere Nice" and "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" Dave Fridmann – strings and horns on "Dial: Revenge" and "Secret Pint"
Production Dave Fridmann – production, mixing, recording Tony Doogan – recording Willie Deans – engineering (assistant, at CaVa Studios) Bill Racine – engineering (assistant, at Sorcerer Sound Studios) Vella Design – design, art Steve Gullick – photography
Charts Chart (2001) Peakposition
References