Mice Parade @ King Tut's

There is a certain disorder to Mice Parade that undermines their more impassioned rock-outs. A broken lead and problems with a guitar string slow down their set, turning it into a chatty shamble rather than a strident sonic assault. At their best, they have the August majesty of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, their winsome melodies building to well-orchestrated climaxes and ecstatic flamenco-influenced wailing: but these moments are brief, and the relaxed atmosphere allows their sweeter sensibilities to shine. The male-female vocals are harmonious, the xylophone holds the melodies and, lacking the thudding bass guitar, the rhythm section is jazzy and spacious. Finding himself forced to talk over the gaps, founder Adam Pierce comes across as witty and modest, rather like his music. Comparisons have been made with My Bloody Valentine, although Mice Parade are made of more delicate distortion and do not hide their subtle hooks beneath layers of noise. They never really launch into full-bloodied rock, preferring charm to attack. [Gareth K Vile]