- Venue:
- ULU, Camden Town »
Clap Your Hands could probably have played to another 500 ticket-buying members of the public tonight, or at least sold the tickets - whether they could have performed or not is another matter.
Looking uncomfortable and at times bored; this is the sight of a band confused. Possibly at their own hype explosion and clearly not happy in front of London's notoriously hostile audience.
But then equally, this is truly an audience confused. Still a distance away from the UK release of their eponymous debut, the crowd reception of the band's repertoire is that of an act who have already toured the UK extensively - despite this being their first official visit. The cheer let up for new single 'Is This Love' is almost as if Coldplay have just announced 'Yellow' and we're stood in front of the Pyramid Stage.
A testament to the artist-building role of the internet way beyond the Arctic Monkeys, CYHSY! seem to buckle under the pressure of 700 salivating indie kids. As the set progresses past 'Is This Love' and into the depths of their LP, Clap Your Hands showcase their lack of creative stagecraft and an inexperience in holding audiences that makes for a less than enthralling boat for their talents.
The tunes are in place; solid and well formed, and CYHSY! are clearly not shy of rehearsing, with a tight and impressive display of musicianship. The underlying problem remains however that be it down to inexperience, tiredness or a host of other reasons, the dispassionate display this evening will be enough to turn many off before they've even truly begun.
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No stage presence whatsoever. Can I have my 8 quid back?
?
What? No mention of the support bands? There's a quarter of a review missing here.
"...this is truly an audience confused. Still a distance away from the UK release of their eponymous debut, the crowd reception of the band's repertoire is that of an act who have already toured the UK extensively - despite this being their first official visit."
I really don't know what you are talking about, Colin. At least 75% of the audience was thoroughly enjoying the CYHSY fellows. Many, MANY people singing along, smiles all around. Loads of 'woo's! and claps, and yeahs. I'd say that's fairly positive reception.
They are a fairly new band. It's their first set of shows in Europe. No fucking pressure, huh?
I can't help but feel a certain bitterness in this review.
CYHSY, ULU, 22/11/05: 8/10.
Beware the fanboy
Gotta say that I agree with the OP. I really like the album, but last night they were just a bit... flat?
Sure there were the indie boys, girls and geeks *loving it*. But something tells me that they would have been doing that whatever the quality of the act.
The bassist and guitarist brothers looked as if they wanted to be anywhere else but there, and the Vocalist presided over the band with what seemed at times to be an almost schoolmatron like grip. Feel the love? Not me.
Ok sure, they were nearing the end of their tour, and yeah, there is some pressure on them, but in the light of the second support act (All members Ill but still excellent) CYHSY just seemed a bit too cold and calculated.
In their defence, the venue didn't do them any favours in terms of sound quality. They had booming bass grimness, and the vocals, normally delicate, were reduced to a wailing bairly audible mush.
C+ Must Try Harder.
CYHSY will be remembered for one thing
and it won't be their music. They'll be remembered as the journeyman band a Pitchfork 9.0 turned into headliners. Next we'll learn CYHSY's label or parents gave the PF reviewer a Caribbean cruise with the promo copy*. But when it's all said and done these guys are minor league and the show you saw (and the show I saw) is evidence they can't play in the big leagues. Mark my words. If anyone gives a shit about their sophomore effort I'll eat the fucking cd.
* Note to Colin. Methinks you shoulda posted AJ's review accusing PF of shenanigans. Your review, of course, is all well and good (if too kind), but you've missed a golden opportunity to slam Pitchfork...without coming off as jealous or bitter. Or I dunno. Yeah, you're probably right to have cut it...but still.... ;-)
mummah always said...
...don't piss one someone elses candle to make your shine brighter.
and it would also be totally unfair to review a band based on an association with any publication. the faster the rest of the media unburden's itself with its own hype and sheepish disposition, the better things will become.
That picture...
...is really cool, but this band are wack with a capital 'W'. Pitchfork wanted to make another Arcade Fire, methinks.
Am I the only one who thinks the guy's voice is REALLY grating?
They were alright
Though it was funny watching a tenth of the audience leave in together after about 30 minutes. I didn't last much longer. I saw Simon Price from the Observer in the lifts at Warren St tube at 10.45, having just left Tesco. He obviously wasn't too impressed either. The band just need to practise more it seems. Oh, and Hockey Night wanted to be Pavement so much it hurt.
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