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BAD FRIDAY!
Peluché,
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The Windmill, Brixton
Good Friday, 14th April 2017
3pm till late

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Gig Review

Mahogany / Grosvenor / Arthur and Martha
London, Water Rats

Article written by Ged M - May 1, 2007

Listening to Mahogany�s Connectivity album (as you should; it�s excellent), it�s easy to make comparisons with the Cocteau Twins and Stereolab in the carefully crafted soundscapes and mood pieces. Live they�re completely different: loud, intense and kinetic, with seven people � 4 guitars, 2 basses and a drumkit - competing for space and attention. It�s the end of their tour � for part of which they supported Bloc Party in various aircraft hangers � and they seek relief in volume and activity, although the soundman isn�t really up to subtle songs played at searing volume. �Supervitesse� is a highlight of the set, a fast flowing motorway of sound that thunders along relentlessly. The album, when it comes out shortly, is one to hear; and, when they�re back, Mahogany are a band to catch.

Grosvenor might be the least Track and Field live act ever. He�s a cross between Spinmaster Plantpot and Jamiroquai and his exhortations to the Water Rats to get funky to his jazzy laptop sounds are met with embarrassed shuffling. Plus, sandals are never �street��

Arthur and Martha look like a 50s couple out of a Sunday newspaper supplement (ex-Saloonist Adam Cresswell just needs a pipe to complete the boffin look) but the music is influenced by dance and trance from the 90s, from New Order to Orbital. Surprisingly, their dance track is the one song that doesn�t work; they might have spent their time at raves but the beats sound too forced. The other songs have great tunes (the Krautrocky �Automobile�) and even greater titles (�Railway to Heaven�), played on synths and drum machines but enhanced by guitar, theremin, vocoder and bassoon. Well worth a look, to the accompaniment of lager, lager, lager, lager�

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/mahoganyinthecity