Ultimate Dilema - Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 25/3/2010

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 27 / 3 / 2010

intro

In what was a triumphant return to the Manchester Ruby Lounge, Dixie Ernill watches brooding Scottish post rockers the Twilight Sad play a stunning set and wonders why they aren't playing to bigger audiences

They say sequels are never as good as the original, but the Twilight Sad prove to be the exception to the rule as they make a triumphant return to Manchester’s Ruby Lounge. Guitarist Andy MacFarlane leads the sonic assault as a wall of melodic noise is conjured by the band on opening track 'Reflection Of the Television'. Singer James Graham stalks the stage like a mad man possessed by the spirits of psychopaths. He’s always had an intense presence on stage, with eyes that strike fear into those that catch his gaze, but tonight he appears seriously pissed off. No more so than in the way he spits out the line "a loving mother" during a bruising “That Summer, At Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy” showing more emotion than a thousand Coldplay songs put together. The trio of singles from current long player 'Forget the Night Ahead' form a thrilling centre-piece to the show with a brutal delivery of 'I Became a Prostitute' beautifully contrasting with the less abrasive 'Seven Years of Letters'. The excellent “Interrupted” is also given the full live treatment before early single 'And She Would Darken the Memory' brings out some celebratory fist pumping from the more informed sections of the crowd. Another choice cut, 'I’m Taking the Train Home' from the band’s debut long player, 'Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters' follows before the stunning finale of 'Cold Days from the Birdhouse' is served up with James Graham singing the first half of the song with minimal musical accompaniment. It’s a special moment and allows the full power of his voice with all its glorious Scottish textures to be witnessed. Yet another impressive gig from an impressive band who really should be playing larger venues than this.

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