Efterklang – Magic Chairs
April 30th, 2010
It seems I’d made two assumptions about Efterklang. Both of which it turns out were completely wrong. The first was thinking I owned some of their music. The second was thinking they sounded like Sigur Ros. Quite why I held either of those beliefs, I’m not entirely sure. A quick search on my iTunes came up empty, while even the slightest of listens to their latest album ‘Magic Chairs’, shows little similarity to Sigur Ros beyond a liking of exquisitely crafted, beautifully orchestrated songs. Whether they’ve ever sounded similar I don’t know but if they’ve been making music as ornate and intoxicating as this, I really should have been listening before now.
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LCD Soundsystem – Birmingham Academy 26/04/2010
April 28th, 2010
It’s a shame it’s a Monday night. For LCD Soundsystem are undoubtedly a Friday night band. The kind of act who release you from the shackles of the working week. Infusing you with the need to dance off whatever hassles have ailed your week and embrace the joy of two days away from the office. Shame it’s a Monday night. Not that something as trivial as a day can stop James Murphy and co from getting their groove on. If an erupting volcano can’t stop them getting to the gig, then the start of the week hasn’t got a hope of holding them back. Hell, not even ongoing technical difficulties or illness can stop them tonight.
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Idlewild – Wolverhampton Slade Rooms 23/04/2010
April 26th, 2010
There’s something a little disconcerting about seeing Idlewild in the Wolverhampton Slade Rooms. It may be named after Wolverhampton’s most famous Christmas soundtracking sons, but this is the new Little Civic by any other name. The emphasis being on little. With a maximum capacity of 200, Idlewild are hardly drawing the crowds they once did. To make things worse, looking around, it doesn’t even seem to be sold out. I’m almost certain Idlewild won’t have played anywhere this small since their early days. Certainly not to so few people. I may not be the only one thinking this way. Three songs in and Roddy Woomble makes a bemused comment on how small the stage is and throughout the set, he stands to the side of the stage, giving the rest of the band space when he’s not singing.
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Explode This Body Off Me
April 24th, 2010
I wouldn’t listen to this if you’ve got a hangover right now. There’s a very good chance it will fry your brains. However if you’re in the mood for some weird, glitching, pounding almost techno from Iceland, then this is right up your street. This is Bjork in full on odd, awkward mode. You’ll find very little of the fragile beauty that often shines through in her work here. Sure, there’s are strings fighting to be heard but they can’t really compete. Drowning in the mire of beats, pulses and static fuzz.
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Rufus Wainwright – Birmingham Symphony Hall 20/04/2010
April 22nd, 2010
You find me in two minds about writing this review. The fact is that I’m not a huge Rufus Wainwright fan. My knowledge of his work is minimal and more often than not, I find him an acquired, occasionally grating taste. Having now spent an evening in his company, I’m not entirely sure it’s a taste I’ve come to acquire. He’s one of those artists that in theory, I should love but in reality, I just don’t. He’s a bit too showy for me. Too theatrical. Undoubtedly, an exceptional talent, but one that I admire rather than enjoy. All of which should probably be leading you to assume that this will be an unfavourable review of an unpleasant evening.
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