Diverse sound? Check. Strange title? Check. Even stranger idea behind the title? Check. But hey, it’s all part of the LCD Soundsystem way.
The whole idea of this album came from Nike, who approached the band (aka James Murphy) to create a piece of music to accompany a workout.
As you may have guessed, the album (which was originally released as a single track) runs for 45 minutes and 33 seconds, and is designed to not only encourage you to pull on a pair of shoes and go for a run, but also to follow the arc of a workout – warm up, extensive workout and cool down.
The opening track sets up and interesting speed for the rest of the album – it’s not quite as fast as you would expect (for the intention of running at least), but still has a continuous pulsating rhythm.
Sure, the second track whispers “shame on you” in the background (it’s not even that I feel guilty about my lack of exercise regime, but now my workout music has to remind me as well). But by the time we get to the third and fourth tracks (also known as the 10 and 20 minute mark), there are no lyrics to distract you, until you’re it by a weird techno-horn mix of music.
And it’s all downhill from there. The second half of the album is lacking in any kind of motivational music, right when I would need it whilst working out. The last 4 tracks are disjointed and out of place. Unless you like a 25 minute cool down that is.
For the average person who enjoys a 20 minute run, this album is fantastic. For someone who likes to do a 20 minute yoga session, this album offers a nice alternative – just make you listen to the second half of the album. I suppose Nike wanted to cover as many athletic types as possible.
