Tuesday 06/04/04 Cranebuilders @ Carling Academy 2, Liverpool

Two support slots from acoustic performer David Hession and wheelchair bound singer/keyboard player Paul Holden and his band, precede the appearance of Liverpool five-piece The Cranebuilders, who perform to a healthy turnout. They open the set with their previous single.

Fronted by Tommy Roberts, his morose and downbeat vocal style is complimented by a delicate sound of keyboards and guitar. Musically a cross between Belle & Sebastian and The Velvet Underground, the group offers some intriguingly laidback arrangements, which clearly set them apart from other typical scouse indie bands.

Incidentally the group is named after the Liverpool music store ‘Cranes’, where Tommy and guitarist Simon Reynolds use to work before it closed down. Clearly they decided to turn their disappointment into something more positive by forming a group and if highlights from their forthcoming EP are anything to go by, then the venture has been worthwhile.

On stage the group announce that they've finally got around to recording a full-length album, much to the audiences delight. They proceed by playing some of the results to a crowd who seem to be up for the challenge. They play an impressive set highlighted by tracks such as 'Bring Me Luck', 'Bitch' and 'You're Song'. 

Released on their own label Ten People Tell, their next single 'Just Idleness'/ ‘You Can’t Get At Her’ will come out on 16th June.