Customer Reviews
Excellent Record 
2008-02-25
One of the best discs of his category in 2007.
check tracks 4&5 as an appetizer. The qualiity of this record stands out greatly for anybody who likes different kinds of music. I believe it's all in the cohesion of elements: the genres he mixes up are various, but still Murphy makes so as to keep fluidity and pleasure of listening. Very inspired and energetic.
Unimpressed 
2008-02-22
I feel like I've already heard this before... After several listens it still doesn't grab me... just sorta bores/depresses me...
Electro funk returns 
2008-02-22
Oh how I miss the Beta Band. Anyone remember them? I think the closest thing to fame they ever received was a spin of their classic "Dry The Rain" in the film "High Fidelity" (you know the scene in the record store, where John Cusack's character Rob says "watch me sell 5 copies of the Beta Band EPs"). Somehow, and it will always be a mystery to me, the smart funk they created didn't catch on and they disbanded recently. That was a true tragedy. Their debut, "The Three EPs," was one of the defining albums of the turn-of-the-2000s for me and remains an electrifying experience every time I put it on.
Why, you ask, do I start a review of "Sound of Silver" by LCD Soundsystem with a review of Beta Band EPs? Well, "Someone Great" could have just as easily been substituted for "Dry The Rain" in that scene in High Fidelity and that's saying something. Not since the Beta Band have I heard such a clever and fun mixture of funky beats and indie attitude. Perhaps the Betas were ahead of their time and would have fared better in the wake of Mr. Murphy's success. Whatever the case, this album goes a long way towards filling the void the Betas left behind. It is an homage to so many things, from Talking Heads to Bowie to, yes, disco, but it's all seamlessly blended together in such a way so as not to draw any more attention than necessary to the moving pieces. The lyrics run the gamut from funny and poignant to funny and nonsensical to just plain strange, which I personally find very appealing in this era of the vague anthem. It's distinctly urban, yet it also sounds like it could have been concocted in someone's garage with ProTools on a rainy afternoon. That duality between sophisticated and earthy qualities gives the album a unique sensibility that I have not experienced since, you guessed it, the Beta Band.
Very highly recommended for the head-bobbing aging indie rock geek that I know is lurking inside of you.
Quite a surprise 2008-01-28
When I gave this record a spin, it was a sigh of relief. I had noticed James Murphy as LCD Soundystem when I heard some of his superb singles that came out before his debut album. Enjoying these singles a lot, I purchased his debut album and I was quite disappointed with the first disc (the new material), although the collection of singles on Disc 2 was worth the price. I wasn't expecting much out of his second album, figuring that his flame had quickly burnt out after those first few singles. Giving this album a spin, I was surprised that he could write such great songs. I mostly enjoyed his long dance/rock freakouts but didn't know that he could write such brilliant pop songs. This album is a surprisingly exciting listen.
VERY pleasantly surprised!! 2008-01-18
I received Sound of Silver and the first album at the same time. I heard the song "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" on the now cancelled show "Love Monkey" (which was very good, I liked it, and that is the death knell to any show!). The only lyrics I remembered were "show you the ropes, show you the ropes," so I Googled it and discovered LCD Soundsystem. The music has really gotten under my skin, especially Sound of Silver - this is my favorite album to crank + motivates me when I need it. James Murphy is my age and I appreciate HIS appreciation of various artists by whom he is obviously influenced - Talking Heads, Kraftwerk, Bowie, Eno, Prince, Mark E Smith and The Fall, Floyd, Beatles, Can, and the list goes on. Yes, it is derivative, but he pays homage with his own snarky, smart-a** twist. I mostly like all kinds of rock and am not really a big dance music fan or electronica fan, but THIS I like, because it is edgy + catchy. So put this on and shake your butt!
Great from the start 2008-07-16
I'm by no means an expert on how to appreciate music, but I must say I was really impressed with Sound of Silver's quality. There were a few songs that I enjoyed from LCD Soundsystems first release, but those took a bit of time for me to get into. Sound of Silver got me right from the start in a way I haven't experienced from a CD for some time. Normally I expect to have to give some time for a CD to grow on me, but this one didn't require any extra effort. Having said that, I know a few of the songs will not have a great deal of staying power in my "everyday playlist", but enough of them do that I would strongly recommend this CD. "Get Innocuous!", "North American Scum", and "All My Friends" all deserve the positive attention they've been given and I know I will continue to enjoy them for years to come.
Catchy but repetitive 2008-05-22
Lots of great songs on this cd, especially the first four songs on the cd. The first song rocks. The third track, "North American Scum," will have you jumping up and down and chanting like an English football hooligan. And the forth song, "Someone Great," will bore its way into your subconscious like a mole. But while there are truly some catchy songs here, I have to admit sometimes it does get a bit too repetitive with the Casio-like keyboards and early 90s electronic effects, sounds I know far too well from a misspent youth. This is still worth getting, though.
Sound of Boredom 2008-05-09
I like dance music, but this CD is just too repetitive. True, there are some cool sounds, but nothing I haven't heard before. In fact, this James Murphy character cribs plenty from other artists. I can't always put my finger on it, but much of what I hear on this album rings a bell of familiarity. For example, I hear some elements of Can (and Murphy doesn't hide his affection for that group either).
Having influences isn't in itself a problem; everyone has influences. But you have to build on those influences and take them in different directions for the music to be worthwhile. Everything on this record makes me think, "been there, done that." True, the songs do subtly evolve, but the repetitive elements are so prominent that they render the album monotonous. I much prefer dance music that has more to offer in the way of actual songs.
Not That Great 2008-04-11
I read the reviews of this cd and expected to get something I did not. My favorite track was "Us v. Them" which sounds a bit like a poor man's Talking Heads. The songs tend to get monotonous and the vocals do not seem appropriate to the music at all, in fact they got on my nerves most of the time. If you want a great electronic/dance/rock cd check out MGMT's first full length LP Oracular Spectacular. I has everything that Sound of Silver lacks and a lot more.
i like this cd too 2008-02-29
this cd rocks. the bips and bleeps are good, the lyrics smart, and melodies that'll stick in your head.
