I’ve liked New York’s finest three piece since their first ep and excellent early session on WFMU’s Cherry Blossom Clinic, but had never seen them live before. Things started promisingly, with leggy singer Karen O coming on in an odd glittery outfit looking for all the world like some glam rock leprechaun, though her movements probably owed more to 80’s TV am fitness guru Mad Lizzie any Irish Bowie tribute act. It was definitely a case of “That’s it, put one foot forward, head down, lean forward, and wiggle that body, boys and girls. Doesn’t that feel better?” Well, not really because despite Karen’s efforts this gig never quite took for me. The crowd at the front might have been going mental, but being that that further bit back I felt there was something ultimately un-engaging about her performance.
That’s not to say it was a bad gig by any means, with highlights including the almost dubby Down Boy, Black Tongue with it’s catchy, yet charming “Boy, you’re just a stupid bitch and girl you’re a no good dick” chorus, and the (initially underwhelming) recent single Gold Lion, which - delivered from behind a golden blanket! - sounded much better live than on record. Best of all though was Art Star, a track from way back with it’s sudden changes from twee, giggly ‘du-du-du’s to some almost harrowing screaming delivered from behind a shiny helmet, which had the remarkable effect of turning Karen’s head into a 1970’s glittery disco ball.
But by the time they were leaving the stage my overwhelming feeling was one of slight disappointment, and not even a version of Maps for an encore could dissipate that feeling. This was disappointing in itself because Maps is an incredible heartfelt number that has, I know for a fact, reduced chaps with relationship problems to tears. Unfortunately, this rendition just kind of passed me by and although they ended with a lively version of A Date With The Night, frankly by that time I knew it wasn’t happening for me. Maybe it was just me. I was knackered before I even set off on what was at times a taxing journey as it was so wet I could have sailed down the M54 in a yacht. Certainly ‘Da kids’ at the front really seemed to enjoy it, and the band - now augmented by a fourth member who played bass, keyboards, acoustic guitar and hid in the corner - played well enough, with the Louis Theraux lookalike on drums putting in a particularly fine performance. But though the Carling Academy isn’t a big venue by any means, the YYY’s just left me wishing I’d seen them somewhere even smaller.
And when I was more up for it…
|
