live review: alt-j. electric ballroom, london. 6 november 2012.

As I’m very lazy, I reviewed Alt-J’s Camden gig directly onto twitter earlier in the month. Here are those tweets.

One criticism I’d heard of @alt_j prior to last night’s performance was that they have a tendency to appear bored during their performances

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

That wasn’t the case last night as they seemed to revel in the celebratory mood around their Mercury win.

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

It was perhaps not better shown than by a cover of Kylie’s ‘Slow’ played over the beat to ‘Still DRE’. An experiment they clearly enjoyed

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

There was also a moment when a birthday cake was brought out for drummer Thom. This was not a band who were letting focus overshadow fun

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

During MS lead singer Joe found amusement in a mistimed ‘oooooh’ from one part of the crowd. Alt-J have got this crowd interaction down now

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

As for the performance itself, it was flawless. Perhaps the early shows where concentration took over personality have helped this.

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

With such a fantastic album behind them, all eyes will be on the band’s sophomore effort. Last night’s performance helped allay any fears.

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

My only problem was with the guy in front of me who alternated between filming on his foot long phone and standing on me.

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

I can’t really blame @alt_j for that

— Tim Brown (@sockformation) November 6, 2012

album review: alt-j. an awesome wave. 28 may 2012. infectious music
(buy here)

Kris De Souza, news editor extraordinaire over at The 405, offered to live tweet his first listen to the debut album of Alt-J the other day. He offered it as a review for on here, because he knows I love a good live tweet. Thanks Kris. Here it is.

The intro (track 1) starts with a careful piano before industrial, machine like drums kick in then those unique vocals come in. I like.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

The first interlude Ripe & Ruin, no instruments just the bands vocals acapella sounding medieval and a bit like Simon and Garfunkel.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Tessellate is the first full song on the album, once again the vocals are mind blowing, atmosphereric synths are backed by throbbing drums.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Breezeblocks: I’ve heard this song a lot thanks to #6Music and you can see why it’s a single, it’s a great showcase of the bands full talent

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Second interlude Guitar, is just that, an acoustic strummed while some subtle background chatter and noise strangely compliments it.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

I could actually listen to an hour of that interlude.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Estocada (Something Good), i think the previous interlude has served to prepare your senses for this tracks lovely guitar.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

I read yesterday that the interludes are there to “clear the palette” and that makes perfect sense now.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Dissolve Me, I’m going to run out of superlatives by the end of this album. This is a soft and gentle track with the occasional wave of drum

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Matilda, this time the guitars are joined by gentle rapid drums. This feels like a more traditional love song if that makes any sense at all

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

9th track Ms, returns to their more unique sound. I say that but this track shows why you could compare alt-j to Wild Beasts.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Fitzpleasure starts off with those harmonising vocals again before a brutal bass drop, a riff kicks in that could be the next Bond song.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

That’s not a bad thing either, I hasten to add.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

The last of the 3 interludes now, Piano, this is like a warm blanket after being caught out in a storm, resetting you after that last track.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Bloodflood starts with what sounds like a class assembly, heavy bass guides you what feels like a trip down a river, with birds chirping.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Honest, that’s what it feels like.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Taro is a 5 minute finale to the album and it is exactly that, like a conductor bringing everything previous together. What an album.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

Incredible.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

This is an album made to be listened to through a very good set of headphones it’s absolutely stunning. I knew it would be good but… WOW.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

I really do think I’ve just listened to the best album of the year.

— Kris De Souza (@KrisDeSouza) May 19, 2012

So there you have it. Kris managed to ruin all his good work by not giving a mark at the end, but it sounds pretty fucking positive doesn’t it. I was already excited for this album. Multiply that excitement several times over now.

—

Having listened to the album properly myself now, I feel in a position to rate it.
10

On my list of bands to see live, NO CEREMONY///, Zulu Winter and ∆ (Alt-J) all figure in the top five. Here they are together as NOC rework a track from each of the other two. It’s all in celebration of the forthcoming ‘Heartbreaker’, which NO CEREMONY/// release next month. Both remixes are sounding mad and that’s just how we like it. Especially the Alt-J one, which is one of those tracks you just have to keep on repeat for an evening or two. You can download them below.

By the way, who would have thought that in a post about different three bands Zulu Winter would have the most normal name.

The Great Escape
10-12 May 2012
Various Venues, Brighton
escapegreat.com

In a sentence
The UK’s very own version of SXSW, specialising in showcasing the best new bands.

Headliner
Africa Express Sound System

If you only see one band
As well as Africa Express, who are likely to be amazing, don’t miss the brilliant Friends.

Hidden down the order
The festival is meant to be about the new bands, so there isn’t a single hidden gem so much as many, many hidden gems. Bos Angeles are a must though.

Other sockformation favourites
Django Django, Grimes, Perfume Genius, ∆ (Alt-J).