Blue Lamp Wednesday 19th May By Michelle Dee

I went to this gig with a writer friend of mine. I was on a promise. Well, he said he'd buy me drinks all night. On arrival your friends and mine, CrackTown were sound checking so we moseyed along to the bar, as you do. He bought the drinks; me a pint, him a coffee. Hmmm ..He's not drinking I thought, something's wrong here.. Half an hour later, he scarpered. Perhaps I had the wrong perfume on or something. Anyway, I didn't see hide nor hair of him for the rest of the night.

So, to the night's entertainment. First up Chris Tomlinson. A lightly bearded singer/guitarist. He was a new name to me and I was all ready to take him into my heart but oh, no, he sang too low. His vocal merged with the guitar sounds and was indistinct and dirgey. On the odd occasion he lifted his voice above the guitar to rather good effect. This change in pitch made the audience turn and look his way briefly, then the dirge noise would begin again.

He played a Nick Cave sounding song but he would benefit from a band behind him to flesh out the sound and maintain rhythm. He did a New Order cover, Confusion but he really shouldn't have. I am a big fan of New Order but the first verse was out of key, out of synch and out of place in his set.

Ok, he eventually found an approximation of Barney Sumner's vocal and got better towards the end. So he continues - but the ends to his songs are all too predictable and samey. He didn't communicate to the audience and consequently no connection was made. Then, at the end of his set, he walked off without a word. In my book, you have to talk to your audience - make them feel involved. He just didn't.

Ten Men on stage next. I missed seeing most of their opening song, Scone but to their credit I could hear them loud and clear whilst in the ladies. They played the crowd pleaser, Road to Ruin and the certainly pleased the crowd who were singing along with gusto. After some witty banterisms they played a new piece called Middle Man, a slow track that I immediately feel I want to hear again. Dave Bernasconi's vocals were strong and powerful. I think he is turning the corner on a very promising path.

The pair were smiling all the while, even when the odd note or more was misplaced. Holiday, the title track of their EP came next. Another chance to hear those sublime harmonies followed by Mr. Foolish. In my opinion they look better when Dave opens his eyes while singing and to be fair, he tried to do this a lot more tonight. This song incorporates beautiful finger picking and roving riffs.

Faker after that, which moved along at quite a lick. One Fine Day, not the Shangri-las followed quickly by Man Made World. This is a bluesy folk tune railing against an unjust world and highlighting the crisis of masculinity. Although Chris obviously isn't in crisis. According to Monkey Boy, he was .. sexy like a young Rolling Stone.

So they ended with their party piece, Rosie Lea. Now I hadn't heard this one before, so perhaps I don't get to enough parties (hint, hint). Chris blew his harmonica like a toothless gold prospector from Wyoming. Ah, the good old American Dream. But no, melancholy turns to mirth. A tale is told of an over-sized ex-girlfriend from Pearson Park, about as far away from 'dem golden hills as you can get. Ten Men continue to go from strength to strength and their debut album is eagerly awaited.

Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for. CrackTown. They took to the stage and played the first few bars of the A Team theme tune. Get ready for action. Then they launched into Love ME I'm a Liberal, a rousing tune off their debut album. King Rat has a new hair style - ie. none. On his head, anyway. He looks like a cross between a Tibetan monk and a slightly lost rookie marine. They wrote the set list for that night on the back of an Adelphi flyer and after inspecting this hallowed script they played Christians and Earthquakes. Good song.

Silver Fox is like a manic, crazed, loon; cavorting on the stage like a latter day Jean Vincent. He exaulted unto us Thou shalt not listen to third rate acoustic cabaret acts and grant approbation unto their crass antics. Just like Moses on Mount Sinai. A band of biblical proportions.

Next, the chosen few i.e. those who had bothered to stay, were treated to tracks off the eagerly awaited and much heralded second CrackTown album, There Must And Shall Be Midgets.

The deep throat of King Rat surprised me during Shipping Clerk, a painstaking deconstruction of the white collar worker. Whereas Mr. Three Piece is an angry rant against corporate criminality. I noticed a hint of bitterness during the lyric ..Give the cripples a few coins from your fund raising dinners ..- There's food for thought. Then Boudoir Prison Blues with a truly inspired crescendo in the chorus. I've written in my notes (because I always try to make notes) - political words, political world - God knows what it means. I know, I'll ask Mr Bush.

The very popular Leaving Las Vegas, also from the soon to be released second disc, was beautifully delivered. Only CrackTown could rhyme Phone Ya with California. Tis a sorry tale of loss and liquor (the song, stupid, not CrackTown's history!). I believe they have grown emotional depth. Tis a sorry tale of loss and liquor (the song, stupid, not CrackTown's history!). I believe they have grown emotional depth.

During Prisoner 783 there was sweat dripping from their weary brows. Occasionally the Silver Fox paused to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief which he concealed about his person. They ended their set with Best of British - a good way to go. It had grown a new verse in response to the coming summer of Euro 2004 and all that football malarkey. The beautiful game it ain't. As always, CrackTown gave their all in omnipotent style and were warmly received by the crowd.

Catch CrackTown headlining at the Adelphi this Sunday - they will blow you off! Photographs courtsey and Copyright © thisisull.com

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