Wednesday 12/07/06 Four Day Hombre @ Islington Bar Academy, London

The gentle yet powerful and slightly hollow voice of Guy Garvey that spills over the rhythm section couldn't help but find itself loaned out to Four Day Hombre front man Simon Wainwright at London's Islington Academy tonight. In fact, Gigwise reckons he may as well have just sported a facemask and pretended this is an intimate Elbow show. A venue semi-empty and mostly filled with band-funding fans greets lead singer Simon and co, who are certainly on a high in the middle of their 'Experiments In Living' tour.

FDH may be part of this North Eastern movement that's currently blowing the alternative planet's mind away, however they sound less like Monkeys than Russia! do. Then again, some might find that refreshing. First offering 'Don't Go Gently' is Embrace-rock at it's most stated. But at least Embrace switch their harmonies in a bunch of different directions making for some catchy stuff. This is simply straightforward drums, dull-chord guitars and, well, Guy Garvey's vocal tone.

Re-re-re-released single 'The First Word Is The Hardest' may please its adoring fans, but the combination of a lack of melody and a tedious rhythm constantly feeling the need to repeat itself over and over and over doesn't exactly do it for us. There are some, if few, highlights however. 'Day By Day' could be a live Elbow B-Side. That and the witty lyrics of 'Inertia' are where listening to Snow Patrol and Neil Young has paid off big time. Soft strumming, sweet keys and a pleasantly reactive assembly make for seven minutes of perfection.

Before finishing the set with 'Resolve', a somewhat stressed Simon states "We keep on knocking on the door but no one seems to let us in", in reference to weary record label hunting. Maybe next time try ringing the doorbell.