Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Ben Lowes-Smith enjoys a night of talent and imagination
Image: congratulations by Rebecca Tindle
You might question the taste of naming your musical project after a well-known former psychiatric institution, but you can’t knock Cherry Knowle’s enthusiasm. Clearly inspired by the likes of Nine Inch Nails and Crystal Castles, Cherry Knowle have a clear knack for producing a danceable, electronic pop tune, and they throw themselves into the performance with admirable aplomb. It’s lyrically candid, perhaps too much so for comfort in some cases, but it’ll be interesting to see where they go with obvious enthusiasm, energy and talent.
Polyvinyl are more the finished product, and frighteningly competent in some respects. They deal in an immensely polished FM rock sound that recalls a less wonky B52s and, perhaps confusingly for this writer, represent a transatlantic nostalgia for the early noughties. They have a galvanising frontperson in singer Annabelle – heck, everyone is pulling their weight magnificently here – and single Underground Girl hints at some real songwriting chops. They have a genuinely lovely onstage chemistry, but there is something about the early-00’s nostalgia that makes the whole experience feel a little staid.
congratuations have a magical combination of ingredients for a band making their kind of music: barnstormingly good musicians who can surrender their egos to the bigger idea, a wicked sense of humour and fun, and an album’s worth of genuinely brilliant songs. Songs from recently released Join Hands bounce around the room, the band themselves fizzing palpably with energy. They assimilate incredibly tasteful influences beautifully; there are nods to Friend Opportunity-era Deerhoof, Devo and Chic, filtered through an unforced oddness and playfulness. Singer Leah Stanhope has an unbelievable combination of qualities, and incredible range which she has immaculate control over, a commanding charisma and a wicked sense of humour. You can’t help but feel like you’re in the presence of a special group who have the talent and imagination to be producing great work for many years to come.
