The Passengers @ Blackfriars

While many bands claim to bring something original to their shows, The Passengers really do. With an eastern European sensibility, they incorporate polkas, gypsy melody and circus drumming. The guitar oscillates between a heavy jazz swing and rockabilly picking, the bass is forced to work hard to accommodate the deft rhythms while the keyboards wheeze like an accordion or tinkle gentle melodies. Simultaneously agitated and tender, their psychedelic rock fills the gap between Pink Floyd and the Klezmatics: an atmosphere like a drunken country wedding and the bewildering combination of rock melodramatics and strong folk melody captivates the audience. Their weakness, unfortunately, is very evident: Jackson's vocals, which he tries to pitch around Tom Waits or Nick Cave, are flat and drab - not only do they lack the music's fire, they drag it down to a mirthless drone. Maybe with another vocal approach, this band's originality might ensure huge success. [Gareth K Vile]