Empire Safari

Live at The Library on Friday, 26th November 2010

Miranda Versus The Crok have played recently at the 360 club branching out into a very entertaining electric show. Tonight they are back as an acoustic duo but still manage to pull off an energetic and physical performance. They are different to a lot of the other acoustic acts around at the minute in that they have a robust punk sound especially to the Patti Smith-esqe vocals. Rapping on the guitar and stomping feet rhythmically they make a heck of a racket for an unplugged duo and a tuneful one at that.

Northern Torch are a very very new band but an exciting one. They bring a little emo pop-rock to the line-up and seem to have a real gift for writing a catchy chorus. There are hooks galore here and pretty accomplished song writing in a similar vein to Lost Prophets or every fifteen year olds new favourite band Young guns. At times it gets a little whiny but there is definitely a lot to like here.

The Phoenix Fall are very Kaiser Chiefs meets Keane. Their sound is catchy and accessible but the set drags which is never a good sign! New single 'Tearing Me Apart' encapsulates their brand of cheerful indie; it isn't that innovative or varied but it's not offensive either and a lot of the people here tonight seem to enjoying it. The set is tight and clearly well rehearsed and it's perfectly fine... if fine is all you're after then you could do worse than The Phoenix Fall.

Dan Audio step things up a notch with their brilliant reggae funk sound and humorous politically charged lyrics. With just two years of gigging experience under their belt and describing themselves as 'a solo project gone wrong' they sound really together. The bass parts are excellent and its nice to actually see an amateur band utilising the bass to its fullest. They also have a drummer, a bongo player, a guitarist and two singers and yet it doesn't seem overcrowded. The two voices complement each other brilliantly, the harmonies are spot on and the funk influenced guitar parts complement the occasional rapping perfectly. The guitarist is blatantly very talented and a little underused and there is absolutely no need for the singer to wear sunglasses inside. At night. In Winter. When it's snowing but other than that the set id an accomplished one.

Empire Safari are an Oxford band currently residing in Leeds and achieving relative success locally with the release of their new demo 'Output' which is well worth a listen. Their jerky sound is part Surfer Blood part Macabees. The punch basslines again standout and aid the darker element to their sound which makes them standout from the other three bands on the bill tonight. The lyrics are thoughtful without being too posturing, the music itself is danceable and interesting (take note The Phoenix Fall). Sure not everything they try quite works but it is nice to see them playing around with sounds and they certainly seem like one to watch with their innovative take on what sells well in the indie world at present (plus their Tarantino projections are fucking cool!)

• www.empiresafari.co.uk
• www.myspace.com/thephoenixfall
• www.facebook.com/danaudio
• www.myspace.com/northerntorch
• www.myspace.com/mirandaversusthecrok

Comments

All replies to this article. Log in to post a reply.

On 30th December 2010 at 17:23 life beyond life wrote...

See Dan Audio Live at Club 360 on You Tube.
Click the link below

http://www.youtube.com/user/DANAUDIO69