Vessels Live @ O'Henry's, Glasgow 24/02/07

O'Henry's, in the heart of Glasgow's city centre, isn't a venue I would normally consider for live music. But, its low roof, miniscule 'stage' and low-key lighting gives it a certain charm. Vessels ensured they used the venue's atmosphere to their advantage throughout a very succesful night for the young band.

I missed the opening band Grozny, but judging by their myspace profile they enjoy a good scream, jangly guitars and off-kilter rythmns. I did catch next act Piano Bar Fight. This was a good thing, their frontman posseses a Morrisey-esque baritone and it is soundtracked by urgent, chopy and jerky instrumentation. There's a decent bit of potential there and Piano Bar Fight are certainly one of the more interesting bands to emerge from Glasgow's underground.

Most regular readers of this site will be aware of Vessels by now. Signed to Cuckundoo Records, their last ep seemed to feature more ideas than most bands manage in their entire career. Last night's show was no different, with the band using a arsenal of machines and instruments to concoct their sound which sways between post-rock, indie, electronica and post-hardcore. It is hard to pinpoint their sound exactly, mainly due to the fact there is so much going on. Instruments were swapped and genres swept through with apparent ease, the drummer kept his focus throughout, putting in a superb performance. One song, (possibly "Armed To The Teeth") featured the frontman sparring with his drummer on a seperate kit, my only complaint being it didn't last long enough.

Some old favourites were aired too, most notably an early inclusion of "The Beast", but it was closing track "Look At That Cloud" that provided the show-stopping moment. I am a bit of a post-rock veteran, I have lost count how many times I have seen Mogwai, this track is as good as anything I have ever heard. It recieved the biggest cheer of the night and is, quite frankly, stunning.

Next up for Vessels is a prestigious slot at BBC's Maida Vale Studios. It seems they are destined for greater things and the 50 or so people who were there at last night's performance witnessed the start of something special

Vessels : "The Beast"

Here's a band worth bothering about. You may have seen this review of Vessels' 2006 self-titled ep, where I said it "combines some powerful instrumental music, post-hardcore structures and a touch of electronica throughout its five tracks". I also remarked "...nothing will stop this band!", such is the diverse nature and ability to transcend genres at the blink of an eye.

The quintet from Leeds are about to embark on an extensive tour of The British Isles and going by the venue for the Glasgow gig, will be your chance to see this band up-close and personal before they explode, as they deservedly should. The tour seems to be covering most major cities, check for details here. Cuckundoo Records will also be releasing a 7" single expected to be feature "The Yuki" and "Forever The Optimist". The single is, apparently, past the test pressing stage, so a release date should be around the corner.

Vessels : Self-Tilted Ep (Self-Released)

Vessels are a Leeds based quartet that have been championed by both Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens from BBC Radio 1. Having formed from the ashes of A Day Left, this self-released ep combines some powerful instrumental music, post-hardcore structures and a touch of electronica throughout its five tracks. Previous reviews, on the band's website, state this young band can switch effortlessly "from quiet ambience to blasting heavy riffage". With a seperate 7" release due out on Cuckundoo Records soon and an imminent tour of the British Isles, this is as good a time as any to review this band.

The self-financed ep, kicks off with "The Beast", a powerful track that starts with a quirky bassline that plays in tandem with the guitars, it recalls one of the UK's most under-rated bands, the sadly defunct Cable. As the track progresses it veers into post-hardcore territory, not unlike a Do Make Say Think style jam, before a furious and pounding burst of distorted energy around the 2.30 mark finishes things off. A very promising start.

Those post-hardcore rythmns resurface , this time with some very nice Helmet-esque guitar work, on "Take It Outside". The most notable aspects of this track, is the powerhouse drumming that really drives this song along, while the chorus reminds me of another defunct, but great UK band, Spy Versus Spy.

"Armed To The Teeth" starts with dreamy sounding keyboards, showing this band can handle the epic angle as well as furious guitar workouts. Although not particularly ground-breaking, it again serves to show just how talented this band are. Think of a harder edged Epic45 track and you will be getting a fair idea what it sounds like.

I am not sure how the original of "Set Fires" sounds, but the band have included a remix version here as the ep's fourth track. It is a glorious slice of Helios-style electronica. Not only does it bring a nice surprise, after the guitar dynamics of the previous three tracks, it is also delivered in an expert manner. Looping synths and scattered rythmns help to create a rather serene atmosphere.

5th track, "Look At That Cloud!" can only be described as jaw-dropping. In fact, if I was to be experiencing this live I reckon I would be scrapping my mouth up from the venue's floor. If we are talking post-rock here, this is everything a post-rock track should be. It changes tact slightly, kicking off with a sinister sounding collage of keyboards, wahses of reverbed and delayed guitars and softly, crashing cymbals. But it is the absolutely thunderous volley of post-rock guitars around the 2 minute mark that catapult this track into post-rock heaven. Having been into post-rock for more than 10 years now, this track is as good as anything I have heard.

However, that is just the half of "Look At That Cloud!", because around the 5 minute mark, the track erupts like a volcano into a furious slab of euphoric rock. It is utterly spellbinding stuff and demands to be listened to at maximum volume.

Ending the ep with "Happy Accident", Vessels explore a more electronic vibe, with music along the same lines as Keser's post-rock/electronica style. It provides a nice closer for the ep and shows Vessels to be just as adept at programming as they are with those guitar dynamics.

At only 5 tracks and with the band able to plough through several genres, the "Vessels ep" can be a bit over-whelming in places. That is not neccesarily a criticism because for the most part it is all done within the band's template. What this ep shows is, Vessels are an extremely talented bunch, evident in the post-hardcore power of "The Beast", the electronica-laced "Set Fires" remix and, of course, the stand-out track "Look At That Cloud!". Once they settle into a true rythmn and continue to progress, nothing will stop this band!.

Rating = 82%

A 7" release is due out on Cuckundoo near the star of 2007, while the band will be touring the UK in Ferbruary, catch them before they explode.

Top 5 Albums Of The Year : Ben Winbolt-Lewis

More top 5 albums here, this time it is with Cuckundoo Records owner, Ben-Winbolt Lewis. Ben also works with The Leaf Label so was in a great position to find out the best music of 2006.
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5. Thom Yorke – "The Eraser " (XL)

"not my most listened album of the year, but one of the most powerful. Thom Yorke has monopolised the claustrophobic paranoid feel of a record!"






4. Steve Reid Ensemble – "Spirit Walk " (Soul Jazz)

"2005 record I know, but I bought it this year so there! Amazing grooves, that far surpasses the later collaborations between Steve and Kieran (Four Tet)"





3. Broken Social Scene – s/t (Arts & Crafts)

"not as good as "You Forgot It In People", but this album takes a long while to unravel. The best show of the year for me at the Leeds Irish Centre which inspired me infinitely!"






2. Joanna Newsom – "Ys" (Drag City)

"Yes, a bit early to really say, but the arrangements, the feel, the individuality of this record are mindblowing". "







1.volcano! - "Beautiful Seizure" (Leaf)

"I can say this because I loved the album before I worked at Leaf – refreshing, challenging and blows the cobwebs away! "