Sunday 23/02/03 The Cranebuilders @ Barfly, Liverpool

The Cranebuilders are doing all right for a Scouse band that don't have Scouse written all over them. There's no chirpy pop in their set, no compulsory cosmic spliff, not even an arrogant but endearing proclamation of how 'fokkin' grrreat' they are. At a time when it would be all too easy to follow in the hectic, scally-shaped footsteps of Liverpool's leading lights, they tread the relatively lonely road of moody, introspective lo-fi. And a good thing too.

Fronted by the melancholic Tommy Roberts, the five piece marry drawn out, rambling epics, 'Bring Me Luck', with ephemeral gems, 'UR Song', stirring up the scent of the Velvet Underground and bringing a welcome dose of the morose to proceedings. It's only when Roberts stops a song to tune his guitar that you really know he's enjoying himself, laughing at his inability to do it by ear, self-deprecating, almost self-conscious, but only until the music starts again. Understated drums, unobtrusive organ lines and slow but wide tremolo guitars provide colourful backdrops for stirring vocals. Then all of a sudden 'Bitch' jumps into life from nowhere and, like a good quickie is over before you know it, leaving a huge smile on the flushed faces of the crowd.

It's clear that the Cranebuilders don't want to hand it to their audience on a plate. They pace their set like a ballroom dance in a day centre, and that's going to bother some people. There's enough on show however, to suggest that good things will indeed come to those who wait. Damn kids are too lazy these days anyway.

Photo by Shelly Turner:: shelly@gigwise.com