September 04, 2003

I arrived a bit late, and only caught the last song of Transposer - the crazy loud Welsh band who claim the ex-drummer from Mblusky amoung their ranks. Good thing The Rock of Travolta were on next to follow up with a nearly-unclassifiable sound - guitars so complex there's hardly any need for vocals through most songs, making a sound that truly defeats comparisons. I enjoyed themimmensly, but most people at the gig were there to see the lovely winsome melodies of Keane, and so The Travolta got less respect than they heartily deserved.

So, onto Keane - having only released one single through a tiny indie label, they've managed to fill the Barfly to positively STUFFED over-capacity. Unlike the two earlier bands, they thrive on their having no guitars whatsoever, opting instead for a coldplay-like piano tenderness. Vocally, they sound a lot like Fran Healy, but it's the songwriters that'll make those back-of-neck hairs stand on end. Every song is a radio hit, and those who've discovered them already have latched onto them with a slavish devotion, impressively singing along to every word. Keane will be huge, and you've heard it here first.

Get free mp3s from each of these bands here