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Arab Strap/Bright Eyes: Love, Defective

Tekst: Alex Tobin

Beeld: Marjolein den Hartog

Publicatiedatum: 13 mei 2001

Granted, an evening with les miserables and louche chroniclers of life Arab Strap and Bright Eyes doesn't exactly figure high on most people's lists when it comes to ideas on how to spend a summery and hot evening with friends and loved ones. As Conor Oberst and friends first take to the stage, Amsterdam's Paradiso is disturbingly well under full capacity. There seems to be a slow-motion, hazy-lazy vibe hanging in the air, and many people seem to be more interested in showing off their milky-white skin, newly arisen from hibernation, to their fellow concertgoers. However, almost from t he get-go, Bright Eyes (for it is them) has them by the balls. And it is no small wonder: With his extremely plaintive songs, Oberst strikes a meek, yet affecting figure on stage. His texts, full of sincerity and naivete, aim to purge this young man's inner demons, and his delivery is nothing short of pure catharsis, plodding and pleading, before stammering to a jarring halt. Tom Waits, Nick Cave, country twang, the Delgados... all present in spirit, but Oberst is more than a cheap derivative of others. Combined with pure and passionate Pop (with a capital P) sensibilities, his songs deserve to be heard by many. His aim is indeed true.

Opening with 'Packs of Three' and 'New Birds', two songs from 1998's 'Philophobia', a full-band version of Arab Strap arrive in style, fresh on tour after releasing their arguably most varied album 'The Red Thread'. Cuddling a six-pack of Heineken, is seems Aidan Moffat intends to live up to his reputation this evening, and - after all - what better place to do this than in Amsterdam, capital city of hedonism and debauchery? Surprisingly, given the high temperatures and inaccessible nature of Arab Strap's music, the crowd is generally hushed in quiet respect this evening, and it soon becomes clear that most people are in it for the long haul and not just out for a night at the bar. Moffat and Malcolm Middleton bring out Adele Bethel to duet on a few spare lines here and there, and occasionally a diabolically bouncing disco groove is set in motion, proving once and for all that more than a piece of Arab Strap's heart has gone clubbing again, fuelled up on God knows what. Add a snippet of Atomic Kitten's 'Whole Again' (yes, that one!) during the encore, and the evening is a nice and varied success, culling tracks from all four studio albums (Single 'Love Detective', however, remains conspicuously absent from the setlist.). Arab Strap's main problem this evening is the turgid sound at the Paradiso. Their songs, often only distinguishable by a minute and beautifully subtle keyboard or guitar melody, lose all clarity, and it becomes a somewhat tedious and tiresome affair, especially given the fact that the vocals are also too low in the mix. Arab Strap essentially without discernible lyrics and lilting, reprising hooks is not exactly a treat for the ears, and it's not until the last two tracks, 'Last Orders' and 'Turbulence', that this improves ever so slightly. A shame really, as the band's sincerity and dedication were clearly visible. Maybe next time, eh?

http://www.kindamuzik.net/achtergrond/arab-strap/arab-strap-bright-eyes-love-defective/145/
Meer Arab Strap op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/arab-strap