Review: Eight Legs – The Electric Kool-Aid Cuckoo Nest
Independent by nature, given that this flighty full-length is the product of their own label, yet jaunty sincere, honest in delivery and backward gazing (to the mod-era especially) in their musical styles. Is how Eight Legs seems to be coming across and it is an impact that suits them. To start off with, the sound of Rakes and The Cribs is bundled together to appear disorganised and slightly put off by the vicissitudes of life, ‘I Understand’. However, you sense that a lot of thought has gone into this projection of low-key annoyance at the cards that they’ve been dealt. The post-mod theme continues pouring out into ‘Stay Cool’, but a more stammered delivery of the vocals by Sam Jolly prevents an early stale feel.
The ranging nature of this fashionista’s dream of a band, starts to come to life in the slow turning, tapping percussion tilted bluesy ballad, ‘The Dystopian Not So Future’. A lot of feral logic is encapsulated in the terse lyrics:
“You were thinking with your balls when you should have used your head.”
Of course, after such longing and reflection, a change of pace is needed. There’s no better way to ensure this than by chucking in a bouncy, yet bemused pop spirited anthem, ‘Best Of Me’ (and, no, it certainly ain’t a cheap The Darkness cover).
Likeable tykes is a tag that this sprightly group is going to find themselves stuck with given their friendly and wise manner. ‘More Than Nothing At All’, is a slow building tuneful lament at being skint. The rhythm builds and sincere delivery goes some way towards explaining why their sound was successfully used to back up an anti-binge drinking campaign. Rustic The Cribs spirited rebelliousness spews out of the chanted, yesteryear adoring ‘I Wish It Was The 60s’ and, the defiance from it builds and builds into the narky, murkily ambient interlude containing ‘Untitled’.
Eight Legs have conjured up a second album with heart, defiance, soberness and sincerity. Qualities that will mean they will be used to back up more campaigns than a Spin Doctor.
Review: Hot Chip with support from Casiokids: Manchester Academy 19/02/2010
The idle chatter and into it jigging is evenly spread, as the jaunty electro/lounge/indie and pop conjoining Nordic sextet, Casiokids gives it energy, effort and some entertainment value. The latter element is provided, in the main, by the bold Bez impersonation of Ketil Endresen. This is especially so when the maracas come out. At times, they produce the impact of Baz Luhrmann being backed up by Paul Van Dyke.
Unfortunately, at other times, the beats get a bit lazy and appear to be on a loop throughout this set, becoming as repetitious as the ‘Smoking is not permitted in any part of this station’, message that is recycled at train stations. That said, as the bass element emboldens, idle chit chat reduces and looks of intrigue appear on faces and bodies start to sway. Casiokids amiable stage presence also provides for a friendly atmosphere.
A humble entrance and a slow lounge blues skirting opening through ‘And I was a Boy From School’. Is how lead man Alexis Taylor and his Hot Chip buddies elects to kick off proceedings, making for a sombre and reflective sing-a-long. It is an impact that continues into mini-epic ballad of ‘Hand Me Down Your Love’. This represents the first of the material from the less playful, new and fourth album, ‘One Life Strand’ that is met with warmth and acceptance of the ranging nature of Hot Chip.
Of course, it isn’t long before they up the tempo and the blurry carnival beats and the maracas touting antics of Taylor, ensures that ‘One Pure Thought’ does exactly this. However, it is at this point that it is difficult not to start comparing watching HOT Chip live to going to see a DJ. This is down to the lack of any real physical energy or the fact that their stage presence doesn’t really provide for any sort of spectacle. A whining horn intro leads the way into ‘Brothers’, whilst an increasingly appreciative crowd starts to lose themselves, in this genuine run through of a career of a growing in universal appeal and refreshingly inclusive act.
The bouncy rhythm, haunted vocals and cosmopolitan synth kicks of the title track from their 4th album, highlights a fresh and thoughtful direction from these once seemingly lost Londoners. A Friday night needs an up-fer-it anthem, no matter what brand of music or how diverse the act is and, ‘Over And Over’ has its hook-line chanted back with lurid vigour by an excited gathering:
“Over and over and over and over and over; like a monkey with a miniature cymbal.”
Taylor’s crowd interaction is sparse, yet amiable and the troupe makes full use of the sound concealing venue. Work experience with a travelling circus is all that’s needed in order to allow Hot Chip to be able to match their catchy, provocative sound with a breathtaking live show.
News: The Mary Onettes Announce US Tour this April
The Mary Onettes announce US Tour Dates This April!
Mon April 19 Mar Bar Philadelphia, PA
Tue April 20 DC 9 Washington DC
Wed April 21 Mercury New York City,NY
Thur April 22 Great Scott Alison, MA
Fri April 23 The Summit Columbus, OH
Sat April 24 Schubas Chicago, IL
Sun April 25 Sunset Tavern Seattle, WA
Mon April 26 Holocene Portland,OR
Tue April 27 Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA
Wed April 28 Soda Bar San Diego, CA
Thur April 29 Viper Room Los Angeles, CA
Video: You Say Party! We Say Die! – There is XXXX (Within My Heart)
You Say Party! We Say Die! “There is XXXX (Within My Heart)” from the album XXXX. from Paper Bag Records on Vimeo.
Watch New Video For “There is XXXX (Love Within My Heart)”
