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The Walkmen, Live at the Koko Club, London

By Sara Sayeed Wednesday 11 October 2006

The Walkmen trundled on stage about an hour late – nonchalant, with sensible haircuts and lager bottles in hand, you could easily mistake them for slightly sozzled, fumbling techies. Then a guttural wail erupts from amidst the blazed stage, some guitars screech into place and it seems it’s finally started.

The band soon launch into the notorious track, “Little House of Savages” which is arguably definitive of the Walkmen’s sound, both in tone and title: music that’s often savagely warped but also tentatively contained. The track propelled the Walkmen from the depths of the New York underground scene into the popular conciousness, when they played it on the little-known American soap, The O.C. Some of you may have come across the show’s indie-saturated soundtracks, on which “Little House of Savages” was included in its live version. A good decision on the producers’ part, since, live, the Walkmen’s music is infused with a compelling dynamism that is sometimes absent from the album versions.

Hamilton Leithauser’s Dylan-on-acid voice is an instrument in itself; he screeches and croons with such a primal and ferocious intensity, it’s a wonder he doesn’t collapse or start spouting blood mid gig. But Leithauser isn’t the sole focus and is often upstaged by the frenzy of atomised guitars, bass and organ, not forgetting Matt Barrick who, for a weedy looking guy, not only bashes his drum kit with the savagery of a starving cannibal but manages to rhythmically ground and control what sometimes threatens to become a cacophonic jumble. Barrick certainly shines on “Louisiana” (the forthcoming single), slowing down the pace to a more laid-back bluesy pulse, and then revving it up again for the encore tune “The Rat”.

Fantastic, if a little feral, the Walkmen are definitely worth checking out if you get the chance – just don’t be too alarmed if Leithauser’s torn and tattered larynx wings itself your way.

27/09/06

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