SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS

In 2011 James Murphy stunned the music world be announcing that he was ending his band LCD Soundsystem and retiring. The news was unexpected and shocking to fans. The band were at the height of their success and had just released what was arguably their best album yet... their masterpiece. The decision was well orchestrated by Murphy and the final album was his first step towards an end. What followed was a monumental 4 hours final show at Madison Square Gardens. Shut Up And Play The Hits is a film documenting this farewell show and Murphy's final goodbye to the rest of his fans. The film is IN-SANE! I was already a fan and their albums are always on high rotation in my home, car and work. The film is mostly comprised of the live performance and it's intercut with a final sit down interview as well as Murphy's life the following day. Retiring was not a decision he took lightly and the film explores his reasons and hopes to bring closure to the fans. The live stuff is incredible and captured gorgeously with an amazing multi-cam set up that's non-intrusive yet grants access to areas of the stage that seem impenetrable. Murphy's emotions are put in the spotlight for the world to see and the film doesn't dance around them. This is a very personal and intimate moment in time of a performer torn and his thoughts are laid bare for us to see. This is not something he is normally comfortable doing but it's obvious that the process he's taken to systematically bring an end to his own career has burdened him immensely. Shut Up And Play The Hits is one of the best music films I think I've ever seen and the incredible blu-ray release also features the entire 4 hour concert in it's uncut entirety. If only we could thank James and his mates for the sublime, exciting and original music they gave us. LCD Soundsystem will continue to be a soundtrack to me life as I'm sure they will be to others. Check out this film.

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