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Gig Review

Long Blondes
Manchester, Academy

Article written by Jennifer C - Apr 12, 2008

Long Blondes

There was more than a hint of je ne sais quoi in the chilly Manchester air tonight as Sheffield’s Long Blondes showcased material from second album ‘Couples’ released this week. Lead singer Kate Jackson huskily purred her way through a lively set like a lusty leopard, looking every inch a northern temptress, even when she donned a flat cap thrown by a loving admirer.

The Blondes kicked off with new release ‘Century’, treating us to a masterclass in electro-pop which owes more than a little to 80s groups such as Blondie and Martha and the Muffins, whilst still sounding very now with the help of current indie producer of choice, Erol Alkan. The sound of ‘Couples’ is both other worldly futuristic and retro, so much so that I half expected to walk outside and find DCI Gene Hunt duffing up some dodgy dealers. Not so dominant now are the spiky guitar riffs of ‘Someone to drive you home’, now being over-ridden by soaring synths and breathy vocals. The subject matter remains the same though, as Kate leads us through tales of neglectful boyfriends and tawdry affairs, meaning that we all probably believe her when she proclaims that we are all going to hell. Highlights of tonight’s performance of the new album for me were the quirky ‘Here Comes the Serious Bit’ and next single ‘Guilt’. If you haven’t got a copy of ‘Couples’ yet, then it is definitely worth a listen.

Despite a warm reception for the new stuff, a collective ‘we know this one’ sigh of relief was audible half way through the set as the Blondes got out their guitars and launched into highlights from the first album including ‘You Could Have Both’, ‘Separated by Motorways’ and stand out tracks ‘Giddy Stratospheres’ and ‘Once and Never Again’. A notable omission was the excellent ‘Weekend Without Make-Up’, perhaps a victim of a shortened one-track encore.

Without doubt though, the night belonged to Kate Jackson. Living proof if you ever needed it that northern girls do really do it better, Miss Jackson is full of sass and attitude, hand on hip throughout and resplendent in her trademark beret without even a trace of Frank Spencer. In this spirit this northern girl is off to get herself some leopard print, God Bless The Long Blondes!

Links:
http://www.thelongblondes.co.uk/