The Hazey Janes @ Cabaret Voltaire

With melodies as fine as Belle and Sebastian, harmonies as good as The Beach Boys, yet posessing the delicacy of The Byrds, Dundonian four piece The Hazey Janes are about as pleasant a band to listen to as you can get before your pleasant turns into mushy. Intertwining energy filled toe tappers such as Don't Look Away with elegant acoustic music heard on Katie Goes, they show real depth with transcendental harmonies between lead man Andrew Mitchell and Alice Marra. If we must poke holes in a seemingly flawless performance, then we shall; as with many bands in the folk rock genre, boredom becomes a factor during an hour long set. As lovely little acoustic numbers pass the two and a half minute mark, the mind wanders to exciting thoughts of paint drying. Despite still carrying some filler tunes, The Hazey Janes are a thoroughly enjoyable live act, and not just for the folk rock scenesters. [Angus Ross]