Big Pink - Electric Ballroom, London, 23/10/2009
by Chris O'Toole
published: 20 / 10 / 2009
intro
At a show at the Electic Ballroom in London, Chris O' Toole refuses to believe the hype and finds little to be excited after watching a performance from much acclaimed electro rockers, the Big Pink
Interesting proposition, the Big Pink. On one hand they exude an effortless cool; their tracks have subtly instilled themselves in the collective conscience with just their natural charm and confident swagger, while the group maintain an enigmatic posture. Already picked up by advertisers, their album, 'A Brief History of Love', climbs the charts, aided by rave reviews and all seems set for their domination of this blissed-out-elector-rock genre. But then, the flip side of the coin. The band is overtly calculating; twin protagonists Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell are hardened industry veterans. They have been around long enough to know the score; there is no idealism here, just grim pragmatism. Drawing from a similar pallet as 4AD labelmates such as the Cocteau Twins and Lush, the Big Pink reinterpret, reinvent and reimagine – but they do not create. Live it is this second interpretation of the band which comes to the fore. Augmented to a four piece – bass, drums, keys, and guitar – the Big Pink offer their album - virtually rote, virtually in its entirety – to the assembled at the Electric Ballroom and then disappear. Nothing more, nothing less and perhaps not enough. Appearing just after ten – the set delayed as they essentially only have 35 minutes of music to their name – there is little interaction with the crowd as the by-numbers versions of 'Too Young to Love' and 'Love in Vain' slide past. Indeed, their best efforts barely silence the "Oh, this is the one from the Xbox advert chatter" which swirls around the crowd throughout. There is some token hand pumping toward the end – especially for the hit 'Dominoes' - but the Big Pink are saccharine in the extreme. They have their formula and they are sticking with it. Doubtless this will pick them up a myriad of fans along the way, but while they are set to fly high I predict the ride will be short and the landing heavy.
Band Links:-
https://www.thebigpinkmusic.com/https://www.facebook.com/musicfromthebigpink/
https://twitter.com/thebigpink
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Interview (2022) |
The Big Pink lead singer and songwriter Robbie Furze talks to Cila Warncke about art, honesty and perfectly crafted tunes. |
live reviews |
ICA, London, 23/4/2009 |
At a gig at the London ICA to promote their forthcoming debut album, Anthony Strutt is impressed by 4AD's latest signing and rising stars of indie rock, the Big Pink |
reviews |
A Brief History of Love (2009) |
Stylish, but unsasisfactory debut album from much hyped electronic duo and recent 4AD signing, the Big Pink |
Dominos (2009) |
Stop the World (2009) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Bluebells - Interview with Ken McCluskey
Sam Brown - Interview 2008
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart