These New Puritans

Even though it’s only February, it’s hard to imagine many releases of the next ten months shifting Beat Pyramid from the upper echelons of many an end of year list; or, at least, the lists of those publications who’ve taken the rhetoric with a pinch. Regardless of what tonight’s 25 minutes of action – yes, the band loiters on stage for only 25 minutes – ultimately yields, one mustn't forget that These New Puritans have constructed one of the most innovative albums of this year.

And onto said show, or at least what little of it there was. Sure, there may be the odd protest that the sound could have been better; several calls from the front row for "more laptop" and_ "more bass" may have been met with an uneasy silence, but one can hardly imagine the band would have taken to the stage minus a soundcheck, surely not? _(Unless they arrived too late for one, of course – Ed) Which can only suggest that petulance and a belief that maybe they've read too much into their own hype may have taken over this evening; or there's the fact that the surprisingly sparse crowd may also have dampened their enthusiasm slightly.

From a personal point of view, what is most disappointing is the fact the band seem to have completely discarded some of the songs that got people interested in the first place. Okay, so performing 25 minutes of a 45-minute set isn't the best way to make new friends, let alone influence them, but the fact they only played seven songs meant there was no time or room for 'C16', or 'Chamber', or 'Tracey Emin', or 'Infinity Ytinifni'. And that's just for starters.

We aren't asking for marathon sessions of a prog-rock variety, but when the songs that were played sounded pretty much flawless (to these ears at any rate), it’s hard to find any other discernible reason other than the ones already mentioned as to why the band chose to frustrate rather than engage those who had made the effort to watch them.

In terms of potential, These New Puritans could very well be one of this country's most sacred treasures for many years to come. Sadly, it's nights like this that will either secure or sabotage their future, and tonight would perhaps be better off entered in the annals under Best Forgotten.

Photo: *Matt Irwin *