Groups like LCD Soundsystem make us question where they were up until the point where they “made it.” New York native producer James Murphy erupted on the scene in 2002 with his single Losing My Edge and has only picked up speed since, with Grammy nominations in 2006 and 2008.  LCD has been described as dance-funk, punk, as well as electronica. “London Sessions” is a live compilation of tracks from all three of his previous albums (“LCD Soundsystem”, “Sound of Silver”, and “This is Happening”), and worth multiple listens. With fun, dancy numbers like the well known, Daft Punk is Playing at My House, the album is a chock full of synthy good vibes and lyrical poetry. Even tracks which seem to lack substance—for instance Pow Pow—have profound messages hidden amongst the nonsense, be they inspired by love or politics.

 All My Friends, originally from “Sound of Silver” is lengthy, poetic, and extremely symbolic. Murphy sings of making stupid decisions when you’re young and naïve, and then growing up. It is a song that can be absorbed and applied to everyone individually—definitely a work of art, and easily one of the best tracks on the album. “Though when we're running out of the drugs/And the conversation's grinding away/I wouldn't trade one stupid decision/For another five years of life”.

Drunk Girls…can we ever say enough on this subject?! The majority of the song is crowded by the repetition of “drunk girls, drunk boys”, but upon a more thorough listen, it cleverly pokes fun at the idiocy that occurs when people get drunk and hook up.

“London Sessions” holds a spot for a slightly 90’s sounding minimal track entitled Get Innocuous, also originally from “Sound of Silver”. Nothing too crazy going on here, but like most of Murphy’s tracks, there is more than meets the ear, in instrument and lyric.

Us v Them rocks a first-rate high hat drum buildup before kickin in some electric guitar and silly lyrics: “Us v them, over and over again”, literally pronouncing the letter (word?) “v” instead of saying versus.

The album concludes with Your City: maracas, and an eclectic mash of sounds and rants. “Your city’s a sucker/my city’s a creep” “Your city is stoned, but my city’s in heat” There really isn’t much meat to these lyrics, but the way they are delivered, you can’t help but like the song.

Though some tracks aren’t flawless (though should they be?), it is amazing to think that this is a live album. Murphy recorded everything live for the album, sans computers, in a single day. The length and lack of hurry in the tracks allows the listener to appreciate the build up of the music without feeling rushed. It’s no wonder why LCD Soundsystem is one of the most desired live performers of our time.