ELIZA DELF & THE WILDERNESS + DOG AT THE OPERA
Pavlis is blown away by the support but, as talented as the headliner is, it isn’t his thing.
Norwich Arts Centre
I was here at the Arts Centre last week for the doom/goth/stoner/metal/artnoise of Faetooth, Cwfen and Kulk. Tonight is a very different proposition indeed...
Openers DOG AT THE OPERA inhabit the space where the heavier end of dream pop intersects with the lighter end of shoegaze, with some 60s garage rock, 80s Porto-grunge and C86 indie thrown in for good measure. Bassist Maisie and guitarist George both take turns at lead vocals but also harmonise in a way that almost brings to mind Hope Sandoval and Jim Reid on the Mary Chain’s Sometimes Always. Lead guitarist Rowan can be a bit of a shredder when he lets loose but it is always in the service of the song, whilst drummer Connor throws in some excellent, almost jazzy, fills.
If I’m being hypercritical, some of the vocal harmonising doesn’t quite gel and things get a touch shambolic at times. This is only their second gig, however, so these can be easily forgiven and this is a band I can’t wait to see again. Shame I can’t make it to Voodoo’s on 11th July when Dog At The Opera will be supporting (the excellent) Snakemilk.
After an intro where Circus of the Macabre segues into Chim Chim Cher-ee, ELIZE DELF & THE WILDERNESS take it the stage. And this is where I have to say that music is a very personal thing and just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean it is no good (or that I don’t appreciate the talent and effort involved).
Acoustic guitarist and backing vocalist Jacob Browne, cellist, backing/harmony vocalist Eva Wright and drummer Tim Skinner are all clearly talented. Eliza herself can sing and delivers some intriguingly theatrical presentation. The music takes in gothic folk and noirish indie, bringing to mind a stripped back Of Monsters And Men or Adrian Crowley. It also shares common ground with localish acts Alexander Carson/Wooden Arms and the much missed - by me, at least - Jay Ducker/Cove Hithe. The biggest comparison in my mind is musical theatre, however. Delf’s vocals take in Kate Bush (yeah, obvious I know, but still relevant), the Unthank sisters and, perhaps surprisingly, Clare Grogan of Altered Images.
Delf can clearly write good tunes but I can’t help but think that some are crying out for more instrumentation - if not an orchestra then at least a bass, piano and/or more strings. I also feel that at least some of the songs would work better in musical theatre productions than in a gig setting. The audience gets increasingly enthusiastic in its appreciation as the set progresses so maybe I am way off in my assessment. For all that this wasn’t quite for me and I haven’t heard this year’s sophomore release Feast, debut album Into The Wilderness is a fine listen. Check out Eliza Delf & The Wilderness and judge for yourselves.
