GIG REVIEWS

The Bluetones
@ Mountford Hall, Liverpool
17th October 2000
www.vanguard-online.co.uk

 "I see we have a room full of pop tarts," announces singer Mark Morris, a little disdainfully, following the anthemic Brit-pop staple "Bluetonic". The problem is The Bluetones are still riding on the success of debut album "Expecting to Fly". And they know it. Morris looks thoroughly bored throughout, disappointed at the clamour for the likes of "Slight Return" and "Cut Some Rug" rather than the "mature" takes from the excellent "Science and Nature". But tonight The Kids just wanna rock. "If" and "Are You Blue…" are greeted like heroes returning from war and at last pulses are racing. However, after the little too knowing intermission, the introduction of a ukulele, accordion and double bass is the cue for many to take a piss. What criticism. Whilst the charm of "The Last of the Great Navigators" and reassuring pomp of "Home Fires Burning" prove there is a grace and elegance to the Bluetones, it goes mostly unheeded. Ultimately, it's just five skinny boys with guitars going through the motions.

Graeme Demianyk