LCD Soundsystem has returned yet again to bring us another incredible album. The follow-up to their 2010 LP This Is Happening proves that 7 years away from the music scene has no effect on James Murphy and company. American Dream is the fourth studio album for the group, and their experience shows. LCD Soundsystem provides an album full of beauty and complexity, as well as a bitter-sweet feeling for everyone involved.
American Dream starts quietly, until the classic synths that LCD Soundsystem loves make their way in; “oh baby” almost reminds the listener of This Is Happening’s opener and hit “Dance Yrself Clean.” The production aspects of American Dream are consistent, and compare well to LCD’s previous works. The singles released before the album (“tonite” “call the police” and “american dream”) all work well within the context of the full album. As the album continues, Murphy’s vocal performances do nothing but improve. The peak of the album as a whole is on the title track, “american dream.” This song has some of the best production LCD Soundsystem has ever done when it comes to their slower songs, and James Murphy shows us how well he can sing. He chants the title of the song at the end, and gracefully uses his falsetto. The album wraps up with the longest song on the track list, “black screen” which clocks in at 12 minutes. James Murphy supposedly wrote this song after the late legend David Bowie, who Murphy was good friends with and helped produce a few songs on Blackstar, Bowie’s final album.
So, is this LCD Soundsystem’s best or most accessible album? Probably not. However, is it the best album LCD Soundsystem could make after such a long hiatus? Is it the best album for the fans who have been with the band since their debut? Those questions can be answered with a resounding yes.
Recommended If You Like: Animal Collective, Parquet Courts
Recommended Tracks: 6 (tonite), 8 (american dream), 7 (call the police), 1 (oh baby)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Griffin Lowry on 09/17/2017