Every now and then a band comes along that fails to settle into a particular genre and blends influences from many quarters
Every now and then a band comes along that fails to settle into a particular genre, baffles those who need to pigeonhole a band’s sound and blends influences from many quarters. So meet The Delays, a harmonic quartet from Southampton fronted by brothers Greg and Aaron Gilbert.
Their critically acclaimed debut album Faded Seaside Glamour charted in 2004 and heralded the three greatest sounding Indie pop numbers on a debut album since the breakthrough of The Stone Roses back in 1988. Hey Girl a jangly number reminiscent of The LA’s, Nearer Than Heaven a blistering song drawing heavily from the the 60's psychedelia scene and the truly gifted Long Time Coming an inspired piece dedicated to those that lose their way.
After grinning and bearing the two very average support bands, the light go out and over the PA Prince’s Raspberry Beret is played. The band are self confessed Prince nuts, no bad thing, however the only comparison to be found is in the fact that lead singer Greg Gilbert can easily match Prince for high end falsetto vocals something which, given the strong melodies of the songs, works a treat.
On with the show and the band open with the 80’s esque, inter-album filler Lost In A Melody before ripping to a range of numbers from both Faded Seaside Glamour and their long overdue and much anticipated follow up You See Colours.
The wondrous voice of Greg surprisingly comes through clearly without breaking and almost as on record. The band's sound is clear and crisp and the energy of the live performance gives the songs a real edge.
The band enjoy a bit of banter with the crowd as Greg jokes about Chavs and ponders the 'angry little man' who cut up their taxi on the way to the venue.
At the end of the show, I walked away as elated as I did the first time I went to a concert many moons ago, knowing that I had witnessed something special. A band that, seemingly in a music scene dominated by much of a muchness, tired over repeated riffs and mumbling lyrics about nothing in particular, champion a rich blend of good melodies, strong harmonies, occasional experimentation and songs with a good old fashion sense of pop sensibility. If I was to have any complaints it would be that I would like to see them let loose a bit and rock out with the guitars a bit more. Never the less Delays are a band on the verge of great things.
The Delays played at the Rescue Rooms on 2 March 2006
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