++GIG REVIEW++
Seeking a breath of fresh air from Libertines immitators and nu-ravers, Nathan Westley believes he's found just the ticket on the Brighton sea front...
After two accomplished local supports we are treated to GRAMMATICS , a quartet hailing from Leeds that occasionally mixes up the wiry sound of Gang Of Four with Patrick Wolf style string sections. It all makes for a pure and unique sound that some would label as 'cultured pop'.
There aren't many bands around like Grammatics. Their recent single ‘D.I.L.E.M.M.A’ sounded a little like a more dramatic version of The Faint covering Arcade Fire. They may still be in their infancy, but their future productions will certainly be worth investigating.
"TNP have the audience standing open mouthed in awe..."
THESE NEW PURITANS are the dark to the Grammatcis light, though what both groups have in common is the fresh alternative they provide to the barrage of sub sub sub Libertine wannabe’s and the vibrant skinny jean wearing Nu-ravers.
Singer Jack's armour-like clothing gives the impression that they are going into battle, and to be honest that sentiment isn’t usually far from the truth. However, tonight there isn't a hostile crowd to win over: everybody is here to see them run through a set drawing from ‘Beat Pyramid’, an album that in December will feature in many peoples top 10 of the year.
From the instrumental intro straight through to the culmination of ‘Infinity’ TNP have the audience standing open mouthed in awe. The bands mix of experimental PiL esq noises, swooshing synths and intelligent lyrics are a breath of fresh air.
These New Puritans are fast picking up a reputation for being difficult, and sure enough the praise they receive seems to go straight to their heads, but at their peak there are few bands that come anywhere near them.
PHOTO: THESE NEW PURITANS BY MATT IRWIN
++ Nathan Westley ++
Artrocker rating: 4
The newest sounds as heard in the Artrocker Office and our Resonance FM podcast.
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