One of the premier local bands of ‘post-rock’ ilk – Laura caught the punter’s attention when they supported the monolithic American noise institution Isis on their 2007 tour of Australia and they stepped up again at the Corner Hotel on Saturday night to launch of their new EP – Yes maybe no.
It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that I have a soft-spot for that questionably tagged genre – post-rock. I don’t necessarily agree with the term itself because it implies that it is a post-modern form of rock music. However, most music with the ‘post’ prefix seems to tickle my fancy. From the lush post-rock soundscapes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sigur Ros to the bleak post-metal atmospherics of The Cult of Luna or Sunno))), my affection for the posties are definitely not bound by a post-code.
Following the uninspiring sounds of support act Tic-Toc Tokyo, things improved as the black-clad members of Laura took the stage and began laying the foundations for what was to be their shimmering aural citadel. Swaying hypnotically, each member added a layer to the structure – a percussive frame, a wall of delay-soaked guitar fuzz, a colourful splash of Cello and the decorative plunk of keys.
The problem was that just as you envision the roof being built, Laura moved onto a different site, leaving frustratingly few memorable moments – songs seemed to segue into one another flowing aimlessly without clear demarcations. It is understandable that the band wish to progress past the tried and tested post-rock formula of build-up and release but they should not compromise accessibility for originality. Radio Swan is down part 1 swelled with a melancholy cello motif but was drowned out at the home-stretch by shapeless guitars. We should keep this secret was a highlight with its elegantly emotive keys and its indolent pace – the other songs occasionally revealed the intricate workmanship of the best of Laura’s treasures but they were quickly veiled behind sheets of noise– moments of glacial beauty and ethereal bliss were not scarce at all.
They were regrettably punctuated by a mob of loutish punters grunting like a troupe of whoring sea-donkeys. which is an annoying distraction when trying to listen to a band like Laura, with their internalized and introspective form of expression. Overall, it was a patchy night, even as they unveiled the new song – Cardboard Cutout Robot for a climactic finale I was left floundering.
