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LIVE REVIEW
THE LIKE AT OLD BLUE LAST, SHOREDITCH
The Like
Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
London
05/05/10

Way back when (alright, 2005), The Like were a female three piece from Los Angeles with some laid back grungey rock. Since then they’ve decided a more danceable approach is the key to longevity, recruiting organ player Annie Monroe to produce a more buoyant formula.  The first single from their imminent Mark Ronson-produced second album, ‘Release Me’, is pretty representative. ‘He’s Not a Boy’ bounces around a catchy vocal hook and ooohing backing vocals from Monroe and bass player Laena Geronimo (who is sporting an Austin Powers-style frilly cuff number). While they still use their slinky attitude in certain songs, they’re bigger on foot tapping rhythms, seemingly trying a bit harder to please. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but for those of us keener on the take-us-or-leave-us approach it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.  “This is our last London show for now,” lead singer Elizabeth ‘Z’ Berg tells us, but drummer Tennessee Thomas’ sudden song intros prevent further interaction (and, rather amusingly, catch her band mates off guard on several occasions).  Sharper hooks, less attitude – but some of the allure may have gone with it.

By Martin Cordiner

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Originally published in issue 17 (vol 3) of Loud And Quiet. May 2010


HUDSON MOHAWKE AT XOYO
XOYO
Old Street, London
19/10/11

The best shows are most often those where artist and audience fall into a frenzied feedback loop of mutual appreciation.

AZARI & ILL AT WHITE HEAT, SOHO
White Heat
Soho, London
01/11/11

Some tech-savvy good Samaritan recently ripped and uploaded a BBC radio documentary about house music grandaddy Larry Levan.

GOTYE AT KCLSU
KCLSU
London
01/11/11

King’s College seems an odd venue for Australian singer-songwriter Gotye.

FLAMINGODS AT THE SHACKLEWELL ARMS
The Shacklewell Arms
Dalston, London
19/10/11

Save for an old electronic keyboard and a delay pedal that makes singer Kamal’s vocals ping-pong out of the room, Flamingods don’t do instruments with wires.

PURE X AT THE SHACKLEWELL ARMS
The Shacklewell Arms
Dalston, London
1/11/11

Drugs. They’re rife within popular music. Especially within the type that Texan trio Pure X make, courtesy of a Spiritualized habit they just can’t (or won’t) kick.

2:54 AT CORSICA STUDIOS, ELEPHANT AND CASTLE
Corsica Studios
Elephant & Castle, London
09/11/11

Sisters Hannah and Colette Thurlow famously named their bristly, glowering rock band after a favourite moment on a Melvins song, 2 minutes and 54 seconds in, to be precise.

DOOM & GHOSTFACE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
The Roundhouse, Camden
London
05/11/11

The man formerly known as MF Doom returns to the Roundhouse for a sold-out show, barely a year after his debut European performance in the same venue.

CAGED ANIMALS AT THE SHACKLEWELL ARMS
The Shacklewell Arms
Dalston, London
28/09/11

In the studio, Caged Animals (Soft Black’s Vincent Cacchione’s new baby) deal in a faintly cloying, suburban youth-channelling indie with a twist.

MILK MAID AT THE GREEN DOOR, BRIGHTON
The Green Door
Brighton
20/09/11

Despite the days of Union Jack plastered guitars and weather-worn parkas being a prerequisite of any northern based guitar band being long gone.

METRONOMY AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
London
03/10/11

“It’s hard to believe that in this very room they used to have gladiators fighting to the death,” exclaims Metronomy main-man Joe Mount.