It’s not often that you go to a gig where the support band puts in a stand out performance, but New Zealanders Lawrence Arabia aren’t built around convention. Supporting Cate Le Bon at The Lexington (7th March 2010), they played most of their new album, Chant darling (4th January 2010) and brought The Lexington to life with some great harmonies, killer tambourine, building rhythms and enough tongue-in-cheek to pull it all off.
The Beautiful Young Crew grew and grew throughout its minimalistic opening, right up to the trumpet blasting solo and back to the simple roots of the song. By this time head bobbing had taken over all around me. Lyrically its one of the most poignant songs in the set and reminds you of their poetic credentials.
You can’t help but smile during Auckland CBD, Pt 2 with it’s self deprecatingly, tongue in cheek far fetched harmonies, and this is followed up by the massively catchy Apple Pie Bed. The bassline is instantly addictive and the Beach Boys infused chorus is singalong fodder from the first listen.
Everything culminates in better than The Drums summertime tune, Fine old friends. It slowly envelopes The Lexington with souring culminations and a hypnotic guitar riff, showing the true potential of the song, which isn’t quite captured on the album.
While they’re not a band that you’re meant to take too seriously, they’re definitely ones to catch if you can. They’re touring in the US throughout the rest of Spring, but hopefully they’re be back for the sunsheeine.
