Earth Division

2011 EP by Mogwai

Earth Division

EP by

Mogwai

Released

12 September 2011
13 September 2011 (US)

Recorded

Chem19 Studios
Hamilton, Scotland
Castle of Doom Studios
Glasgow, Scotland

Genre

Post-rock

Length

16:35

Label

Rock Action Records, Sub Pop

Producer

Paul Savage

Mogwai chronology

Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
(2011)

Earth Division
(2011)

A Wrenched Virile Lore
(2012)

Earth Division is the tenth EP by Scottish post-rock band Mogwai. It was released on 12 September 2011 through Rock Action Records, and a day later in the USA on Sub Pop. The album could not be released for pre-order, as the entire stocks of the CD were destroyed when the distribution centre for PIAS Entertainment Group was destroyed by fire during the 2011 London riots.^[1] The four tracks were recorded during the same sessions as those that produced the band's 2011 album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.^[2]

Release and reception

According to Pitchfork Media, who gave the EP a score of 6.4/10, this release is one of Mogwai's quieter efforts, describing it as "cold and studied" and suggesting that the band are almost in "soundtrack mode".^[1] Writing for thefourohfive.com, Heather Steele agreed, saying that "Earth Division sees them completely lose their trademark urgency and instead take a more uniform sense of silence". Steele however was more positive, giving the EP a score of 8/10 and writing that it is the "most splendid of snapshots to demonstrate just how wide-ranging their music is and just what they are still capable of".^[2] Drowned in Sound writer Michael Brown concluded that the four songs are "totally different, yet just as essential as the album from which they were excluded", and said that if Mogwai were to make an acoustic album "it certainly wouldn’t be the worst decision they’ve ever made".^[3] Andy Gill, The Independent's music critic, like others commented that the music seemed designed for film or TV work, and gave the EP four out of five stars.^[4]

Track listing

12", CD and download
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Get to France"	John Cummings	2:26
2.	"Hound of Winter"		3:54
3.	"Drunk and Crazy"		5:30
4.	"Does This Always Happen?"		4:45

Personnel

Stuart Braithwaite – guitar, vocals
Dominic Aitchison – bass
Martin Bulloch – drums
John Cummings - piano, guitar
Barry Burns – keyboards
Luke Sutherland - violin, strings

References

^ ^a ^b Tangari, Joe. "Earth Division EP review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
^ ^a ^b Steele, Heather. "Earth Division EP review". thefourohfive.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
^ Brown, Michael. "Earth Division EP review". Drowned In Sound. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
^ Gill, Andy (16 September 2011). "Earth Division EP review". The Independent. London. Retrieved 22 October 2011.^{[dead link]}