| |
|
|
| Shout Out Louds |
|
|
|
2008-04-03
Razzmatazz 3
Small pop beauties that they are, Sweden's Shout Out Louds do a much better job than most anyone in the charts at making music that you don’t have to think about too much, lets you dance and makes you feel good. Which, after all, are surely all the greatest elements of truly good pop music.
Live, they have a warmth and joyousness to their performance which seems to come quite easily. We are not treated to stage theatrics or an abundance of ego from lead singer Adam Olenius or any of the supporting members of the five piece. He is a attractive figurehead for the band and this attitude makes songs like “The Comeback” and “Impossible” sound all the more interesting for the fun, yet down to earth and realistic outlook of their narratives.
The carefree poppiness of first album “Howl, Howl, Gaff Gaff,” is what the majority of the crowd appear to be here for, so that songs including “Seagull”, “Very Loud” and “Please, Please, Please,” go down extremely well. The change of pace which came with their sophomore album was quite a surprise for me as a fan and despite this material perhaps taking longer to grow on you than the previous work, such patience is rewarded. The songs are slower, which has affected the groups live performances quite substantially, but whereas the chirpiness of “HHGG” can limit the desire for repeat listens, their second disc actually improves and offers more depth the more times you hear it.
“Parent’s Livingroom” and “Meat is Murder” put across the right level of emotion for such an intimate concert and I always find that in the live arena (perhaps it’s just because you can actually see the singer forming the words) you are more aware of the lyrics and mood of each song. The biggest song of the night though was also from their second offering, first single “Tonight I Have to Leave it” is pure pop with an almost disco feel to it and even a cowbell thrown in for good measure.
Entertaining, talented, fun and a joy to see but like so many before them I do question why bands finish concerts with a lesser known track that normally descends into some kind of eight minute jam session far inferior to much of what had gone before. Well, let them have their fun, they’ll be back for Summercase and you can always leave before the last song if you have to.
|
|
|
|
|
