Review by Kevin Donnellan
Hoarsebox at Whelans on November 11th 2010
“Are we bringing the summer back into your life?”asks Hoarsebox guitarist Philip Broadbery. Well…I dunno…maybe a little.
Hoarsebox are an Irish four piece who have enjoyed some decent press over the last couple of years and the upcoming release of their, as yet unnamed, debut album should see them getting more headlines in the new year. The band recorded the album in Mississippi and this was their homecoming show. And it had that nice warm feel of a gig amongst family and friends. Older ‘Mammy’ and ‘Daddy’ types punctuated the crowd and it felt like everyone knew everyone else. All very cosy and welcoming. Unfortunately having the socializing skills of a lampshade and being without a plus one for the night I succeeded in becoming the loner in the corner sending fake text messages to made-up people.
Anyway, onto the gig. I’d read a lot about the band over the past 12 months but I only realized on the week of the gig that I didn’t actually know any of their songs. I listened to what I could find online but was essentially coming to the gig as a Hoarsebox novice. The feeling that they are a summer band comes to you immediately. It’s not just that singer Johnny is wearing three-quarter lengths, although that’s definitely a factor. It’s a combination of the lightness of the tunes, the harmonising on vocals and the sheer breeziness of the lyrics.
The songs varied from guitar-pop to synth-pop to just pop. Some tunes recalled Phoenix (Work Party), some Vampire Weekend (My Desire) and there’s even some Red Hot Chilli Peppers style funk (So Fine). The keyboard is banged with enthusiasm, the guitars and drums are tight. It’s all done very professionally, confidently and honestly.
But (you were waiting for the but, weren’t you?) But, but, but… Well Hoarsebox do sound like all the bands mentioned in the previous article. But their songs sound like b-sides of these bands, or forgotten album tracks. OK you can argue that there is nothing wrong with sounding like a second-rate Vampire Weekend track but when they sound like second-rate Lovin’ Spoonful (You Lie More You Get More) we have a problem.
But perhaps I’m being harsh. This is pop. And a pop gig is for dancing with your mates right in front of the stage (great lighting at the gig by the way), not being a sad sack in the corner furtively taking notes on his mobile phone. It’s also early days in terms of performing the new songs live. By the time the album is released next year the lads may have found a new dimension to the tracks. So would I recommend Hoarsebox? No. Would I write them off completely? Definitely not.