The Cat Empire @ The Astor,Perth (02/09/10)

Thu 9th Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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There’s only one small tiny problem that comes with being The Cat Empire. There’s only one small tiny problem that comes from being a band that frequents the long touring road (nearing on the big 800th) and being so damn good at it time and time again at each of these shows. Where the problem lies is; here is a band that is open to comparative criticism against itself. The Cat Empire are simply their own worst enemy. By now, five albums deep into their careers, you’ve either heard of them and dig it or you don’t; black and white stuff really. It’s no hidden secret anymore, if you’re a fan, the likelihood is by now, you have seen the eight-piece where it’s well and truly at, live with jive.

So here tonight with these comparisons to be made, stood a tired Cat Empire; Saturday night, show three, in a grand old cinema called The Astor, touring their latest studio album ‘Cinema’ (no coincidences) with Fremantle having just smashed lead singer Felix Riebl’s favourite football team The Hawks to pieces.

Before you read on, do not be mislead by an air of negativity. A first time attendee will have walked away from Saturday night with jaw dropping glee to accompany the ringing in their ears on the way home. The band have just set the bloody bar so high for themselves!

For an open-air summer festival band; anything with roofing is going to be an instant vibe killer; but the glorious Astor cinema-turned-venue was the perfect home for the national support Clary Baby Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes. For The Cat Empire, however, there could have been so much more done to a space like this. With an extremely amazing touring lighting operator; it surely would not have been too much extra hassle to add in some interesting elements like cinematic visuals (considering the space) which effort-wise would have been a few extra meters to go a mile and really make these shows in different spaces stand out.

Before we proceed; disclaimer apologies are to be had for jumping on the bad journalist punctuality bandwagon like it’s the latest new fashion; resulting in Mama Kin being sadly completely missed. With set times pushed half an hour earlier than advertised and the split second decision to have that 7.30pm well overdue breakfast, the show was being set up for the Bangin’ Rackettes upon arrival. Mama Kin is definitely worth skipping the first meal of the day for though; her gutsy voice against fantastic Diana Ross pianos certainly puts her in a song writing league of her own; or at least right up there with her husband, John Butler.

So without further ado; on pour Clary Baby Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes into what becomes a dazzling big band cabaret spectacle channelling everything great about Motown with a mix of rockabilly and Aretha Franklinesque anthems. In the giant grand room complete with top box, the only thing that didn’t transform you completely back in time was the audience not looking anywhere near as dapper as the band.

Front vocalist, Browne dressed to match three other sparkling glitzy showgirls who all put on an amazing choreographed show that hit the nail on the genre angle’s head. Nothing new, a complete celebratory tribute, but the musicianship was tight, looking so very much the part and played out to the room famously. One of the highlights being a song about a girl named Stephanie who we now know is ‘always tryin’ to steal your man!’ ...and whenever the baritone sax player played; which was pretty much all the time.

The Cat Empire are a very, very good band.

Tonight was no exception and aside from a kindling energy and few sloppy tired holes, the show had the usual air of brilliance we’ve been spoiled with. But we were hearing similar spiels from previous shows, without the genuine execution and the jams seemed longer than ever in a possible desperate bid to get on by with a lot of padding. This is never a bad thing in many people’s books, but the line of the night came from a near by punter who proclaimed to his pineapple dreadlocked friend (having the time of his life) “It’s like watching a Tarantino film. Awesome but fucking self indulgent.”

Most of a fan’s memorable Cat Empire moments do come from these extended jams and with keyboardist Ollie Mgill reaching new heights beyond those he’s dazzled crowds with before, and vocalist / trumpeter Harry Angus transforming what’s become a famous a Capella jam into a tripped out example of how tight and talented these guys are with a commanding stop start array; there’s no denying this band is miles above anyone else in their league.

This time round, the music they were playing was more challenging with some special moments from songs off the new album accompanied by all the great old gems including the popular encore wine song performance. One of the new tracks from the new album, Beyond All included an almost Beastie Boys instrumental-freak-out turned-psychedellic mixed with Roxanne husky reggae vocals from Angus. Throw into the mix the moments where Felix drops the rockstar swagger and opens up with some genuine Bob Dylan / Lenard Cohen song writing and you realise how broad a band you’re listening to this far down their career.

And the album? There’s something going on with Cinema, which all albums between this and the debut have failed to achieve, so it’s worth a listen for its standout moments resulting from the band co-writing the LP; It’s some of their finest work to date. Hats off to The Cat Empire for years of brilliant performances.

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