DFA's James Murphy Readies LCD Soundsystem Debut
But we were there. We were there interviewing James Murphy before the release of the first LCD Soundsystem album. We said, "Don't call it 'Eclectic Warrior.' You'll never make it that way."

After a wildly successful run of 12-inch singles that helped to bring international acclaim to his record label and production team, DFA, James Murphy is gearing up to release his first full-length as LCD Soundsystem. File-trading hits like the brilliant aging-hipster anthem "Losing My Edge", as well as scene critiques like "Beat Connection" and "Yeah"-- not to be confused with the "Wwwwhhhhat! H'okaaaay!"-infested track of the same name blasting out Escyalades down on the boulevard-- have led to ridiculous levels of anticipation for a full-length, which until now, has seemed but a distant, elusive fantasy. During an interview with Pitchfork last Friday in Chicago, Murphy discussed what it was like to cut his debut album, which he's been working on since 2002: "It's very awkward making a record. It's a very egotistical enterprise... Some songs had to be cut because they're not relevant to my life anymore."

But all his hard work and indecision has paid off: The new album, which fans have anticipated since "Losing My Edge" first hit the UK club circuit two summers ago, is finished, save for some last-minute tweaking. The as-yet-untitled release showcases nine tracks, none of which have yet been officially released ("Never as Tired as When I'm Waking Up" is not to be confused with "Tired", the B-side of his "Give It Up" single.) Tracklist:

01 Daft Punk Is Playing at My House
02 Too Much Love
03 Tribulations
04 Movement
05 Never as Tired as When I'm Waking Up
06 On Repeat
07 Thrills
08 Disco Infiltrator
09 The Great Release

Murphy was kind enough to allow us a sneak listen to a number of the record's songs on his Powerbook: "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" is a minimalist stomp with a spare synthline bouncing over a simple punk beat, while Murphy details the mayhem surrounding the titular French electronic band showing up at his house party, and adamantly demands, "You got to set 'em up!" "Too Much Love" and "Tribulations" flesh out his established musical territory, revealing previous singles as embryonic incarnations of a fuller, more melodic direction. Both feature punched-up, mechanized 808 disco beats, stabbing guitar interjections, and plenty of hypermelodic synth.

But Murphy saves the real surprise for the very end: "I made a 'last song.' I love last songs." Visibly excited, he enthuses, "The last song is such a big deal, that gentle last song." Markedly different from any of his previous tracks, closer "The Great Release" is nicely summed up by its title. A wash of glowing ambience and reverbed piano, the song sounds of another era entirely, strongly informed by the softer side of 1970s Brian Eno-- tracks like "St. Elmo's Fire", or Before and After Science's luminescent second half.

As far as an album title is concerned, Murphy hasn't firmed anything up just yet, but is considering any number of options: "At first I thought The Church of Marcus and Vito," he mentioned, referring to friends Marcus Lambkin and The Rapture's Vito Roccaforte. "But then I was listening to T.Rex and I thought Eclectic Warrior was the worst record title that ever could be made. And once I realized it was the worst record title ever, it was really hard to just let go. It's just so terrible on every level. Eric, who works with me, was just... 'Oh, that's really terrible, isn't it?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I know. But am I just being a pussy by not using it?' But then I don't wanna be a joke, so I thought, People Are Their Own Punishment."

Murphy is currently looking at releasing the album in the fall, which he says is likely to be preceded by a CD EP compiling his first three vinyl-only singles. That tracklist is likely to look something like this:

01 Losing My Edge
02 Beat Connection
03 Give It Up
04 Tired
05 Yeah (Crass Version)
06 Yeah (Pretentious Version)

DFA: http://www.dfarecords.com