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LIVE REVIEW Text by Sarah Thirtle
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Leaves + Phantom Planet The Icelandic Leaves are deliberate and structured. They played their first gig last October in an art gallery in Reykjavik. Phantom Planet are American college rock, who played high school dances before finding their line-up, and have a film star drummer (Jason Schwartzman - Slackers and Rushmore). They played on the same bill at The Water Rats. Mix and match? Different ball parks, or just opposite ends? Phantom Planet bound (literally) on to the stage and immediately state their case. Within the first few bars of the first song they rock, pose, but most importantly and pleasingly, perform wonderfully melodic, intelligently written songs. There are riffs, there are harmonies, there's American Pie - think Teenage Fanclub crossed with Weezer, then add a dash of Elliott Smith and a pinch of Elvis Costello angst. Nice, I think you'll agree. On stage antics, of which there are lots, are all boys own rock school stylee. Leaning back to back, swinging an arm around against the guitar strings, although I must admit that venturing out into the crowd and singing while in a handstand is a new on me. Fun as this is to watch, and undoubtedly to do, the truly moving moments come from the sheer heartfelt emotion and energy brought to the songs. California, currently receiving Xfm airplay, is a belter of a pop tune, and the vocal performance delivered by Alex across all the songs is spot on. That boy has an ear for melody that Brian Wilson would be proud of. As he told me before the gig the band aims to "try to leave people with their ears bleeding and a grin on their face." Not much blood was spilled, but there were loads of smiles. Leaves have, in common with Phantom Planet, a passion for melody, only this time it comes wrapped in melancholia, with sweeping bass lines and choral piano chimes. Having recently seen them at another London venue, I formed an impression that Leaves were undoubtedly a fine band with fine songs, but were too staid. However tonight they were less inert, more vibrant; less samey, more crescendo and diminuendo. The second song tonight, Silence, is understated
and humble. The song is laid out like a canvass, onto which the melody
is painted tenderly. Just as you are lulled into a calm state Leaves
inject rock into the proceedings in the form of the current single Race.
This three chord tumult would give Oasis a run for their money. Arnar's
operatically trained voice deals with both the calm and tumultuous with
equal conviction. Already there's a progression in performance from
the last gig I saw to this one. Perhaps it's the slightly smaller, more
intimate venue? Perhaps they are just more relaxed, and feel more at
ease to let themselves go? Perhaps they are now more assured of the
quality of their songs? Whatever the case is, make no immediate assumptions
about this band. They have a full work load ahead of them - playing
Glastonbury amongst other festivals and tours this year. They are only
at the beginning. |
