Mogwai

Mogwai
Zidane OST
(PIAS)
For even non-soccer fans, Zidane became a household name last summer after his head-butt in the dying minutes of the World Cup final virtually ended France’s hopes for victory. But the experimental film that bears his name has nothing to do with this soccer god’s career or the world’s response to his actions. Instead it’s a portrait made up of long slow captures of the man in contemplative gestures. Taking that into account, Mogwai’s soundtrack makes more sense as a minimalist score to a contemporary art-house project. But compared to the band’s previous work, it’s disappointing; it lacks any of the emotional weight and sonic exploration we have come to expect from these musicians.
—Dave Hayden