Tame Impala, The Silents @ TheForum, Melbourne (21/05/2010)

Sat 22nd May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

The Silents, hailing from Perth, come bearing similar influences to Tame Impala, yet their interpretations are quite different. The most immediate point of reference is that of seventies Kraut rockers Can, as the band mix psychedelia with jazz beatnik-tinged aesthetics. This creates an interesting malaise of sound, however it seems occasionally to become a little too ‘out there’ for the crowd. The audience’s interest is piqued however when the band are joined by Tame Impala drummer Jay Watson on keyboards for Nightcrawl , with its gentle cry of, “nobody thinks anymore.” It’s more of songs like this and a song that thrives on a Madchester rhythmic section that are required to break up the constant psychedelic progressions. The singer’s voice has a slight similarity to that of Craig Nichols, and the band would be well served by taking a note out of the Vines book by upping the ante a tad.

The crowd swells, and excitement builds in anticipation for the Melbourne launch of Tame Impala’s debut album. As the band take to the stage to masses of appreciative applause, the first thing that is noticeable is that the arrangement has slightly been altered with Dominic Simper switching bass for guitar and keys while Nick Allbrook takes over on bass.

The band opens up instrumentally with It Is Not Meant To Be, which puts one in such a state of relaxed bliss that I’m almost fearful that the intrusion of vocals will break the equilibrium. My fears are unwarranted however as Kevin Parker’s gentle tones slip perfectly into the mix before launching the crowd into a familiar favourite with Desire Be Desire Go. This gives rise to the first of the bands mid song jams. Jams that have a perfect slow build quality driven by the expert precision of Jay Watson’s drumming. By this time, the audience has filled itself with incandescent light, with the front energetically dancing and the back gently swaying in a chilled state of bliss. The room itself couldn’t have been more tailor-made for the gig, with the night sky ceiling mural leading Parker to proclaim that they have never played anywhere as nice as this before. On top of this is added a superbly hypnotic projection of kaleidoscopic imagery behind the band.

Skeleton Tiger gets the fans pumped up as does the slow jam Flow. However, considering this is the first time the majority of the new material is being heard, it is incredible how instantly recognisable they are. Not so much that you’ve heard them before but as though you were just waiting for this song to enter into your life. For my money it’s the effervescent Why Won’t You Make up Your Mind , with its deliciously toddling bassline and Parker’s simple yet confronting lyrics. But on audience response it was clear that Solitude is Bliss receives the best reception with its distinct sections and cry of, “you will never come close to how I feel.”

The instrumental run of Jeremy’s Storm also does well, with its banjo like riff that gets stuck in the head for hours afterwards, building in a progressive rock haze of heaviness. Parker’s reverb soaked vocals and warped guitar sounds guide us smoothly through a trip including a stop at Sundown Syndrome, in which a lucky patron receives his kazoo as he launches it into the crowd. It is not until late in the set that the crowd surfers come out to play with a boisterous version of Half Glass Full of Wine before having the boys alert us that they do not perform encores so there would be only one more song.

The Silents join Tame Impala on stage and we are encouraged to clap and sing along to I Don’t Really Mind. The song falls to pieces a bit with its electro synth drum machine and unhinged members of each band, but by this time it doesn’t really matter. The audience chant and cry for more as the house music and lights come on, but the boys are true to their word with no encore forthright; a shame, seen as they would have played for barely over an hour. Still, this is a minor quibble on such a crowning moment for the band.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE FORUM HERE