secret fireworks @ glasgowbury: the jane bradfords
The Jane Bradfords are dead: long live the Jane Bradfords. The final major gig before they transform into a sexy six piece, the JBs delivered a trademark set and left us wondering what the next album will be like. Will there be more indie pop or will we see the acoustic evolution glimpsed in the Valentine Day's sessions on Bandwidth Films? We wait in hope.
In "Hide From The Cold" we have a synth driven guitar laden song that's annoyingly catchy. The lyrics certainly aren't: Deci's vocals follow a rambling style that is pretty difficult to sing along to. It's the guitar part, the two note "na nahhhh" that will stick in your head, and no amount of drinking will get rid of that. The rain really starts falling as "Ninety Nine" kicks in, an indie pop number which would be a cert for any mix tape I would make. The vocals aren't strong but that vulnerability is probably what the band are looking for: the tender boy reminiscing about his romance in 1999.
The last two tracks of the set show the diversity of the band. The anthemic "The Evening Angels Gather Here" is a gorgeous song that deserves to be played on a dry night in front of a large crowd instead of in showers in front of a smattering of people. It's an uplifting number and it's one of the strongest songs the band have written, with a lovely refrain of "starlight, starbright, the evening angels gather here". Sadly it seems Deci has ditched the megaphone for the finale.
The finale, "Strategy #2 (Fight Them All)" featured Andrew Wilson from Ed Zealous on guitar, and it felt like the band were given permission to finally rock out a bit and relax. The electronic drums are being battered by Johnny while Deci suddenly becomes ridiculously awkward and uptight on stage, grabbing the keyboard and stuttering around stage before sitting on the floor and playing the wee synth part in the chorus that sounds a little like elevator music. It's a little strange, very enjoyable and a good show.
High point: The Evening Angels Gather Here. The most gorgeous version I've heard live.
Low point: The failed singalong for Fight Them All. It's a simple tune and you won't exactly forget the words but you'd wish that the crowd would be up for it.
Final point: Exciting times lie ahead for the Jane Bradfords. The Tallest Man On Earth gig will see the Jane Bradfords mark 2 trot out new material and could be the shot in the arm the band need.
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