Wild Beasts @ Òran Mór, 6 May

Article by Paul Mitchell | 13 May 2011

On balance, Wild Beasts’ introduction of songs from an album (Smother) which had yet to be released at the time of this show proves quite successful, with the audience responding quite favourably to what is a much less raucous affair than it’s acclaimed predecessor Two Dancers and slightly oddball debut Limbo, Panto.

This third LP, however, is a darker, well, beast, and set opener Plaything showcases this superbly. An ominous and sparse synth ‘n tom toms introduction swells and falls, with Hayden Thorpe’s ethereal vocal adding an air of playful subversion. Single Albatross, Deeper, and euphoric End Comes Too Soon all highlight the Beasts’ new, stripped back intelligent song-building.

However, the album itself does belong in the ‘grower’ category, and perhaps because the band have just commenced the tour, these tracks don’t seem to differ in personality from each other, no matter how well performed; and as such are upstaged on the night by more accessible and uptempo ‘oldies’ such as Hooting and Howling and All The King’s Men. [Paul Mitchell]

Smother is out now on Domino Records

http://www.wild-beasts.co.uk