Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong @ Cabaret Voltaire

So they've got a silly name – get over it. A better reason to be snarky about Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jongs is 'cos they're pish. Tonight they show the Razorlight comparisons to be flattering, as while Borrell's best songs were stolen from '70s post-punk icons, Joe Lean seems to thieve his jittery jangle from Borrell's sub-stupid album filler. But this is what happens when an aspiring ego needs a vehicle for his burgeoning social status. He gathers a tight backing band, masters the art of stage performance, and writes by-numbers indie-pop that should never escape his local pub. Hopefully the local musicians in the unimpressed crowd tonight learned some valuable lessons. Evidently, to get ahead in this biz, you don't need imagination so much as you need indie rock star style, friends in strategic places, and a back-story to help journalists with their angles. A silly name helps, too. [Ally Brown]