Babyshambles,John Bramwell Live Review @ Academy [1, 2, 3 and Club Academy] (Manchester) - 12 Dec 2006

Babyshambles,John Bramwell Live Review @ Academy [1, 2, 3 and Club Academy] (Manchester) - 12 Dec 2006

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Live Review

The term waste and derivations of it are never far from descriptions of the Babyshambles' centrepiece, Mr Pete Doherty. Fortunately, tonight this adjective only applies to the timeslot of 15 minutes given to the sharp, earthy and embodiment of hard work and honesty that is the I Am Kloot front man Johnny Bramwell. His Manchester band has been stereotypically branded the next Oasis and while Bramwell's guitar prowess and grittily powerful vocal grip draws out life in a similar way, I Am Kloot have carved a quirkier and dare I say it, more adventurous niche. Of tonight's stripped down offerings, the brutally lovelorn 'Twist' from I Am Kloot's status grabbing 'Natural History' album, bears out Bramwell' powerful and incisive range. This brief but masterful parade is respectfully received and will help to ensure that the must see I Am Kloot, pre-Christmas show in Manchester on the 20/12/06, promises to be an extravaganza of grass roots indie with an off-kilter slant and urbane humour.

The applause has barely reached its peak for the above performance as Pete Doherty playfully strides into view with his trio of underrated musical troubadours. He cheekily peers out into the sea of satisfied faces, thrilled to bits at his mere presence, something that is always in doubt. In a forward thinking manner, the chugging baseline of Drew McConnell toes along Pete's hint of intoxicated, dingy and dragging vocals for 'Blinding', from the recent 'The Blinding EP'. The theme for the evening and Doherty's life in general is summed up in the mournful sojourn of 'Back From The Dead'. This allows the boisterous pit to have a much needed breather and actually gives you time to assess Babyshambles' range. Equal parts are played by all four members and a defiant compactness, akin to an early The Stone Roses is displayed. This number is the key to the future of da shambles, along with the flirtation with conventional pop of new song 'Delivery' that exchanges grit for groove creation, in both the vocals and the instrumental element. A cleaner Pete Doherty, in more ways than one, appears to be a future trend.

A nostalgic and momentum building return to The Libertines territory of 'Time For Heroes', highlights the influence of Mick Jones on Pete's career and the fun pop pearl of 'What Katy Did', loses none of its zap. However, it is one of their own songs 'Down In Albion' that receives the biggest participation and shows Doherty at his lyrical loosest. 'Fuck Forever' is a natural finale and it is needed after a lengthy wait for the encore, but this merely stirs up more enthusiasm. If the guys could bottle up the freshness and adventure shown tonight, then the cynics feeding frenzy will be as short lived as the England teams cricketing revival of ashes past.

David Adair

Gigs

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