 | | Blonde Redhead |
Blonde Redhead are on 4AD, traditionally a rest home for some of the most avant-garde and self-absorbed bands in the world. They continue in that vein but, sadly, without the talent of the likes of The Pixies and the Cocteau Twins. In short, this was a night where the ‘emperor’s new clothing’ syndrome ruled as no-one dared shout ‘you’re boring’, even though Blonde Redhead gorged themselves on some of the most shameless self-indulgence this side of a Yes reunion tour. It was like paying to watch a bunch of sixth-formers having a rehearsal in a mate’s garage. There’s no doubt that Kazu Makino does have a decent voice, which is particularly effective on 23, but there’s too much Yoko Ono-style vocalising with little purpose. The real problem is guitarist Amedeo Pace who seems to think he’s a genius on the fretboard, yet his playing is flat, aimless and – again – self-indulgent. Imagine Tom Verlaine without the discipline, wit or melodic genius. Worse still, he even takes lead vocals on Doll Is Mine, which was only rubbing salt into the wound. Not surprisingly, the small crowd of devotees seemed strangely listless as if being ignored by their heroes, indulgent in self-love, was a deliberate slap in the face after years of support. Indeed, the crowd ended up returning the contempt as one wag sardonically shouted "thank you very much" after each song had tailed off into more pointless guitar noodling. All in, not a good night out. | 
