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If it wasn’t for the fact my ticket was bundled with a screening of Upside Down - The Creation Story, I would have given this a miss. And by the start of the second track I realised that I wouldn’t have missed much if I had. It’s not that they were bad; in fact the musicianship was excellent and I was more than impressed with Jonna Lofgren, the newly recruited Swedish timekeeper standing behind her minimalist kit, playing with all the energy that was missing from the half full venue.
My problem lies with James Allen. I have certain expectations from a front man, that to be honest are not very demanding. Just the basics in fact. Image and delivery. He however looked like a member of Blue. A wet-look short back and sides, fake tan (probably - the lights were bright) and ripped torso semi covered by a white Glasvegas t-shirt. Maybe that’s what recording in Santa Monica does to you?
Whatever the reason it doesn’t excuse the unconvincing groaning and far too often out of time vocals. He seems to have a default note that that he uses either through laziness or when forgetting lyrics. I liken it to a slightly more pleasant fog horn. Very slightly.
I enjoyed their debut album, even though Bono was also vocal in his support. I’ll listen to it again and deliberate listening to the second. However, I can’t help but conclude that these are a band for the stereo; not for the stage.
Steve C
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