Unfortunately, this is, as they say, it. The next three songs are indistinguishable from one another, and the energy on stage seems to be at such a low ebb that Anderson’s “I’m itching my bum against a brick wall” dance and the occasional spin from Butler remain the only movements visible. The songs, at this stage, just aren’t good enough. There is no sustenance. A flicker of guitar ingenuity and a clever lyrical quip are all very well, but a to pull off a top quality performance you’re going to need more than a few sonic pleasantries. There’s no bite, no edge. This is The Tears' sixth gig and they already sound (technical problems aside) flat. Their past is of course inescapable. They seem like they want to please the people and deliver the sort of songs that made their former band so worshipped. Yet on tonight’s show at least, the partnership that once spawned two fantastic albums of ethereal pop heaven, fall very short indeed.
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no votes
?
by Ross Bennett
Who would have thought that Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler would be back together, making music and playing gigs? Expectations are extremely high for The Tears' first major London show, and murmurs of “I reckon they will play the old stuff, ya know” can be heard everywhere before the lights go down and on strides Mr. Animal Nitrate himself. After two minutes of the piano balladeering that makes up 'Love As Strong As Death', a perfectly timed cry from the crowd of “F**king awful!” causes an immediate eruption of laughter and applause, which hilariously happens to coincide with the end of the song. Oh dear. Butler’s entrance causes a whoop from the front few rows, but the people seem so unenthused, it feels that The Tears have already lost this one. Thankfully, Butler’s guitar – he’s still an inventive and exciting player – seems to tickle the atmosphere enough to get some hands in the air and some feet off the floor. ‘The Lovers’ is Anderson and Butler doing what they do best – a catchy chorus propelled by a strong, resonating melody, backed by dive-bombing guitar eccentricities – it’s glorious. Anderson’s vocals still manage to soar and Butler’s semi acoustic seems to warble and crash like it was made to.
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The Tears
The Tears
The Tears
I would have gone but I was in the Mean Fiddler instead watching Burst/Mastodon/Dozer which was pretty consistent gig, not amazingly thrilling though.
Re: The Tears
The Tears
Suede were never as good live as they were on record, either.
The Tears
The Tears
The Tears
I didn't say I thought The Tears were going to play Suede songs - that was what I overheard many people discussing before the gig. Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler have chosen to play together again and comparisons to their former glories are inevitable from both fans and critics.
The Lovers is a fine song. The rest of the gig was truly uninspiring.
The Tears
The Tears
Fanbase on the horizon!
The Tears
The Tears
The Tears
Re: The Tears
Predictable and far too mechanical.
The Tears
The Magic Numbers were the best band of the night though. The Dead 60's who were 2nd on the bill were cliched rubbish!
The Tears
For example, the twat at the start shouted "awful" yes, but no fucking involved..., and the laughter was clearly delayed through embarassment.
He talks of 'Butler's entrance', when he must have been blind not to see him already on stage, playing keyboard on the first song.
I wouldn't say the audience was unenthused, more wary, most people had no idea what to expect. The reactions have got better and better each time they play, as have the band.
I'm not going to claim that the Tears walked on and WHAM were just as thrilling as Suede around the time of the first album (who had been writing and honing their set and live act for quite some time before being remotely noticed by anyone).
They do however have a handful of great songs, and several more very good ones, in my opinion. I also found them pretty exciting to watch, Bernard especially (were you there for the encore?!).
To be honest, the only reason I'm annoyed with this review is that you single out The Lovers as far and away their best song. Now, while it's decent pop song with some energy, it's not their best by any stretch of the imagination. Anyone else at the gig might reasonably assume you listened to that one song and then left. Must have been unconscious to miss out on Apollo 13 and The Ghost Of You! They're the two songs, along with possibly Autograph, that I would place on an equal level with early Suede songs. It's just a bit confusing, because I know if I thought that The Lovers is 'glorious', which I don't really, I would be in seventh heaven for the rest of the gig.
Anyway, each to their own, let's hope people get to hear the record and make up their own mind.
Speaking of which, the first play of Refugees is on Lamacq tonight apparently.
byesy bye