Porch Song Anthology and The Stantons @ Cafe Royal

Describing a gig in the The Den of Cafe Royal as intimate is like calling a mutilated arm a paper cut. Quite an apt venue then for the apparently fraternal 'collective' that is A Very Secret History and The Stantons. Their aggregate set exchanges relatively tuneful pop with full-on country, banjos 'n all, bandying band members along the way. Some delicate harmonies are slightly blemished by an occasional blandness and a cacophony that heightens the notion of collective, rather than band.

With The Porch Song Anthology, plugging their recently released debut, there is never any question as to who is actually in the band, or indeed who the band are. It may not need a masterful performer to make their presence felt on the diminutive stage, nor would it take the lungs of Pavarotti to fill the room, but Rachel Devine does both rather absorbingly. Opening track Hang Me Good is a decidedly powerful tale in its own right and Devine's sprawling vocal adds to this. Reminiscent of Jenny Lewis at times, it's a shame that consistency is not an omnipresent trait of this band. Some of the tracks reek of filler and have a tendency to outstay their welcome, something that must be perceived as a shame. Some of the musical/lyrical juxtiposition is fine, the falsely soothing melody betrayed by some distressing lyrics. P.S.A. must stray further from the beaten track, if only to avoid the middle of the road. [Finbarr Bermingham]