Like Leaves @ Jive, Adelaide(14/01/11)

Mon 17th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

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It will be hard to find another local line-up to match this one. Three bands, each of which, depending on who you ask, could make a case as the best act in town, all one in venue for perhaps the most anticipated album for a local act in the last few years. Like Leaves are well known to most of the local music punters in Adelaide. They feature two of the most respected sound afficianados in town in Dan Varricchio and Pat Saracino, both of whom have mixed more than half the bands in town, at the very least. They’ve won over a cult following amongst local music fans, plugging away for years at various venues, supporting some big names, in fact, blowing away some of the main acts they’ve supported. Their fans are not scene-specific and notably, as expected, bands from an array of genres were showing their faces on the night. Indeed, there’s a lot of respect in this town for this band and Jive packed out expectedly.

Shoegaze quartet Steering By Stars opened the night with a couple of stunning new numbers. The tracks are more immediate, with driving drum tracks, a thicker denser sound than before. There were a few more familiar tracks and the act sounded as good if not better than before. It’s a little sad that they sounded a lot better tonight than at their own launch given unfortunate technical issues, but these things can’t really be helped. At least tonight, the sound was pitch perfect with Lochie’s distorted vocals totally on song and guitarist Rory’s guitars shining through more than any ever before, perhaps due to some new effects. The new beats were addictive and intriguing and as always the overall sound was lush and huge. One thing is certain, their material certainly suits the venue and it’s a pity they didn’t play for much longer. This is one band which is simply crying out for more recognition interstate. They have the makings of one of the best acts in the country, it could just be a matter of luck, more frequent airplay or landing a coveted major support act. Their newer direction will only help things along.

For the past few years Lady Strangelove have long been revered as one of the best live acts in Adelaide. Probably most easily defined as psychaedelic rock, this is one of those acts with which you can safely say every single member is at the pinnacle of their game. Due to clashes and what not, it’s actually been at least a couple of years since I saw them last. They certainly hadn’t faded although have had a few minor lineup changes, losing a saxophonist at one point. The more recent pared back structure, perhaps doesn’t grab me quite as much as has been the case previously, maybe losing a bit of ambience and not relying on vocal effects as much. The band seem, in a way, more blues influenced at the moment. They still perfectly nail what they are going for, but aside from a few songs where guitarist Josh’s flashy lead riffs stand out, they didn’t blow my mind as they have in the past. Bearing in mind, even with their newer direction, they are still, clearly, one of the top acts in Adelaide. Yet, at their most ‘trascendent’ I used to think they could match it with nearly any other rock act in the country. Now, I’m not sure I can still say that. All in all, I still really enjoyed their set, but I’d love to see them push their sound to its absolute limit.

Like Leaves should really play Jive more often. Some of their best shows have been at this venue and Matt Hills is a mixer tailor made for this band. When the headliners launched into their set they immediately demonstrated why so many local punters and indeed other bands, hold them in such high esteem. Their professionalism, fantastic sound and mere presence once again lit up the stage and the entire venue and the crowd gave them the respect they richly deserved.

Tracks like Fruit have become signatures to the revellers, many of whom, like myslf would be completely unable to count the number of times they’ seen the band. The absolute standout to my mind, came earlier in the set. Falling for a Fleeting moment has the makings of an alt rock epic, with murky shoegazey guitar, a slow driving beat and an addictive bittersweet melody. It’s the one track that is not only the most radio friendly but in my opinion one of the best songs by any Adelaide band at this point in time.

There were a number of other highlights throughout the show. There were some moments when singer-violinist Juliet Hunter’s vocals were transcendent. Entirely mesmorising. In other songs where she took over the lead vocals from main singer Dan, one of which had an air of a sorta hippy protest track through a warped prog rock filter. At other times, Dan’s guitar with it’s droney choruses, ambient swirls, sharp chimes and piercing lead simply soared above all else. But, with no disrespect to his compadres, as often is the case at Like Leaves shows Ryan Mano’s drumming was the stand out element in the overall ensemble. Certainly this isn’t a reflection on the rest of the act, but the ambient nature of the other performers, including the warmer sounds of Dan’s Gibson SG, allowed for the crisper percussive elements to cut through. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for audiences to be fixated on Mano’s drumming. Extra credit should also go to Matt Hills for his superb mixing. This man personally knows the best bands in Adelaide and knows how to get the best sound out of them.

I can’t say it was definitely their best gig, given they’ve had some incredible shows in the past. Yet, I can confirm it was flawless – a sign of a band absolutely at the top of their game. My only gripe was the lack of an encore, but then that’s as much a compliment as it is a criticism.