Special Moves Explained

Special Moves
Type:	live
Artist:	Mogwai
Cover:	Special Moves (Front Cover).jpg
Released:	23 August 2010
Recorded:	The Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Genre:	Post-rock
Label:	Rock Action
Producer:	John Cummings
Prev Title:	The Hawk Is Howling
Prev Year:	2008
Next Title:	Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
Next Year:	2011

Special Moves is a live album by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, released on 23 August 2010 through Rock Action Records. Some of the formats in which the album was sold included a live performance documentary entitled Burning, recorded at the same live shows.

Recording

The album was recorded at The Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York over three performances from April 27–29, 2009.

Formats available

The basic format for the album is a CD/Double-LP containing 11 tracks. The album is also available as a limited edition triple vinyl LP box set containing an additional six tracks. For a limited period only, those buying the CD/Double-LP version directly from the Mogwai online store, received a code to use to download the additional six tracks in MP3 format. The extended CD/DVD set also includes the Burning DVD, as does the box set.^[1]

Reception

Reception was generally positive, with particular praise for the Burning video. Noel Gardner of the BBC said the album had "the ability to make you jump out of your skin"^[2] whilst Mojo said the album was "a fittingly monolithic monument to (the band's) work to date".^[3] Review aggregator website AnyDecentMusic? correlated 11 reviews resulting in an ADM Rating of 7.9.^[4] What Hi-Fi? said it was one of the best live albums.^[5]

Personnel and credits

Mogwai

• Dominic Aitchison – bass guitar
• Stuart Braithwaite – guitar
• Martin Bulloch – drums
• Barry Burns – guitar and keyboard
• John Cummings – guitar

Production

• Live sound engineer: Stephen Wright

CD/LP Track listing

All tracks composed by Mogwai.

1. "I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead" – 6:01
2. "Friend of the Night" – 5:30
3. "Hunted By a Freak" – 4:07
4. "Mogwai Fear Satan" – 11:43
5. "Cody" – 6:10
6. "You Don't Know Jesus" – 5:31
7. "I Know You Are But What Am I" – 4:04
8. "I Love You, I'm Going to Blow Up Your School" – 7:57
9. "2 Rights Make 1 Wrong" – 9:05
10. "Like Herod" – 10:38
11. "Glasgow Megasnake" – 3:50

additional tracks on extended LP version and available through download

1. "Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home" 5:48
2. "Scotland's Shame" 6:30
3. "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1" – 8:40
4. "Batcat" – 5:47
5. "Thank You Space Expert" – 7:06
6. "The Precipice" – 7:03

Burning live DVD track listing

1. "The Precipice"
2. "I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead"
3. "Hunted By A Freak"
4. "Like Herod"
5. "New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1"
6. "Mogwai Fear Satan"
7. "Scotland's Shame"
8. "Batcat"

Notes and References

1. http://www.mogwai.co.uk/News/News_2007/Special_Moves_-_track_list_and_MP3_giveaway/ Special Moves tracklist
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/rx8r Special Moves/Burning review
3. Mojo magazine, July 2010, page 13
4. http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/2033/Special-Moves.aspx Special Moves review
5. Web site: 22 of the best live albums to test your speakers . 22 July 2021 .