Malcolm Middleton @ The Liquid Room

The ever-upward trajectory of Malcolm Middleton's solo path so far has been well deserved and pleasing to witness, and tonight he and his band are on quietly confident form as the release of should-be Christmas Number One single We're All Going To Die approaches. Malcolm's unintentionally hilarious asides entertain the faithful ("my patter's shite"; "we've played that already, ya fanny"), while his inimitablely self-deprecating quips are also present as he dismisses No Modest Bear, with its poppy keyboard riff, as "a bit daft." The set list strikes a fine balance between musically upbeat tracks, such as the country-tinged Fuck It, I Love You, and his more introverted songs, like the excellent anti-festive season mope of Burst Noel. The presence of Jenny Reeve on vocals and violin brings added beauty and poignancy to the poetic realism of Middleton's lyrics so that, rather ironically, everyone leaves with a smile on their face. [Graeme Blaikie]