Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.08.2008, Síða 25

REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 11—2008 | 25
Steed Lord are about to embark on a month long
trip of the States, which will see them supporting
Chromeo. In Reykjavík tonight, they raise the roof
as the home crowd loves them. However, to break
through the American electro scene, Steed Lord
will require a lot more than a live show and being
well groomed. They may look incredible, but har-
dly sound revitalizing.
The atmosphere is sticky and the bass thro-
bs like a hummingbird’s ass. The electro of ‘Take
My Hand’ recalls Princess Superstar whereas the
groove in ‘Feel The Heat’ rips off the funk of Par-
liament. So, how one hipster manages to pigeon-
foot his dancing around the glasses on the narrow
bar is anyone’s guess. Their following, laudable
and similar to the band, think of themselves as
dope.
It’s a good thing that M.E.G.A and Kali split
the front duties because their self-indulgence gra-
tes after a while. Both of them need each other in
the band, so never go solo, guys! ‘Its What U Do 2
Me’ gets people really moving and despite being
their last – and best – song, it’s a disorientating
closure. The end of the cut is mixed into the DJ
Set as no doubt will happen when Armand Van
Helden plays it out in Miami. This feels like an ex-
clusive party, but rock and roll in a lounge setting
jars a little.
Steed Lord know how to kick up the jams
and mix with the right people. Their show doesn’t
contain an ounce of insecurity and the artifice
could smell like burnt plastic if the tunes stay only
skin-deep. The bands approach to vocoder’s is no
better than say Cut Copy and the bass lines to-
night don’t pack the dynamite of Felix Da House-
cat. While you can shake your hips initially, the
shifting of tempo tangles up the elasticity in your
waistline. You can truly tell when they’re finished
as the crowd moves onto the next party as if fore-
seeing that the Lord may have the longevity of a
Pot Noodle.
Forgive us Our Trespasses
a.c. bananaS ShowS off IS crazy nu-rave haIrcut
WHO
Steed Lord
WHERE
Q-Bar
WHEN
Saturday, July 19
THE vERDICT
Band launch their tour in
style, but lack true depth
With production from Sigur Rós / Cocteau Twins album maestro
Ken Thomas, you might expect Boys In A Band's first record to
sound a little slushy – not a bit of it. The Faroese five-piece's debut
is bubbling over with energy, a refreshing lack of trend-watching
and some very decent song writing, all slightly reminiscent of a
more modest album by The Killers. The second and third tracks,
the excellent 'Beyond Communication' and 'Secrets to Conceal', are
fairly representative of Black Diamond Train. Both blend speedy
guitar rhythms with nicely-elasticised organ and synth backing and
frenetic (but perfectly precise) vocals to make music with just the
right balance between fidelity and emotion that really does bring to
mind the 'Cowboy Rock' sound they claim as their own. 'Before The
Flood' and the title track are also highly enjoyable and compelling
in their use of lyrics and fast-paced instrumental work. All in all, a
very assured début.
Peter And Wolf may not be well-known but their ambiguity (the album
has been sitting on someone's shelf for four years before a release
date was set – their live shows are just as chaotically scheduled) and
underground popularity have bred a certain mystique that's wholly
justified by this dense record. Recorded in 2002 and 2003, its format
is predictably left-field with no title obvious and a rag-tag mix of styles
and methods apparent on most tracks. The result is, at first, a little
too odd to get to grips with. Listen to 'Simmi' and 'Amma' for perfect
examples of this quandary. Given time, however, individual pieces
and sounds start to jump out at you, such as the psychedelic elegance
of 'Bed Head' and the gentle folk of 'Late Night Lover'. It's like finding
something you've been looking for just before you give up searching
– what a nice feeling that is.
BOyS IN A BAND
Black Diamond Train
PeTer AND WOLF
Peter and Wolf
CONCERT REvIEW By MarCus waLsh — photo By gas CD REvIEWS
revieweD By Ben h. Murray
revieweD By Ben h. Murray
THE vERDICT
Impressive album from
the boys from Gøta, with
just the right balance of
new vs. old.
LISTEN & bUY
www.myspace.com/
boysinaband
THE vERDICT
Understated but purposeful,
once the multitude of tracks
and styles become familiar.
LISTEN & bUY
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