Tuesday 15/10/02 Ella Guru, Medium 21, Brendan Benson @ Barfly, Liverpool

Ella Guru, I strap in, adjust my vocal volume, light my cigarette with a lighter no matches dudes too noisy, and wait. The first chord hits my neck with that tingle I get when I know I'm onto something special. Unlike the last time I saw them, they're a member down, but in all honesty it makes not one dot of difference to the overall experience. I'm not saying the lady in question ain't missed but just that they seemed to cope with it effortlessly. Another notable difference tonight, is that they seem to be having a little more fun due to all manner of technical difficulties that they encounter throughout the course of the set.

All I'm going to say folks, is that if you haven't seen Ella Guru you're missing out. They are quite simply a beautiful band with softly spoken members and softly played instruments. The type of band that you wouldn't mind babysitting your kids, in fact they would probably sing them to sleep. Ella Guru ain't gonna be around here for much longer kids, the bright lights are gonna make sure of that, simply breathtaking.

Second up tonight were Medium 21. Now Spoff know absolutely nothing about this band before this gig, and I know absolutely slightly more about them now. They've got an E.P. out in November called 'Acting Like A Mirror' and the title track is a corking alt.rock track that has traces of the Cure, Husker Du and Dinosaur Jr. I knew we were in for something different when a freaking Wookie with a Telecaster stepped up to the mike. I ain't shitting you when I say that this guy must be like almost seven feet in his stockinged feet! Looking up at this guy made Spoff think of home, and basketball in particular.

Anyway, the Medium 21 boys provided us with a set of late eighties/early nineties rock. This was competent stuff, and I myself would like to hear more of them.

And now… at last… the act that everyone had come to see - and then proceeded to politely applaud after everyone song. Yes, ladies and gentlemen the curse of the Liverpool audience strikes again. Only the crazy fan from Finland came here to rock. Brendan Benson is a singer-songwriter in the power pop vein.

Not familiar with power pop dudes? Think early Teenage Fanclub, Jellyfish, Fountains of Wayne and any other band who sing like the Beatles while rocking like the Sabbath. Brendan was here from Detroit to sing the songs from his new album 'Lapalco' which is a gem chock full of melody and great witty lyrics. For Spoff though, it didn't come over completely live. His band, the Well Fed Boys, were certainly competent and capable of the rock, and Brendan was talkative and friendly. As the set moved on though, the gaps between songs got shorter and I sensed a hint of the "let's get this over with guys".

What is it with, shall we say, the more mature Liverpool audiences? I know they enjoyed the gig, because I spoke to a lot of them afterwards. Maybe it's a case of the back slapping, chin rubbing appreciation society that sometimes happens with a gang. "A ripple of polite applause will suffice Cecil, none of that raucous cheering!" You limeys man, you get to me sometimes. Brendan Benson has got a great album in the shops. I'll tell you again, it's called 'Lapalco'. Go and get it, you won't be disappointed.