Saturday 21/07/07 The Tacticians @ Notting Hill Arts Club, London

There are certain bands for whom the studio is a perfect domain. Outside of the confines and riches technology has to offer, little can be expected to impress or change perception. Bands like The Beach Boys and The Beatles form a very nice historical example, acts who were perfectly serviceable on stage but other than seeing them in the flesh, little exists to draw the casual listener to believe a live show would change overall feelings towards the band. Modern acts like Battles or CSS for example use this setting to showcase an organic ferocity, intimacy or clarity of vision that the studio experience can only replicate once removed. There are a selection of bands like this (Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, eternally Bruce Springsteen) whose live shows add an extra dimension to an act and give a greater appreciation to the music.

Unfortunately, The Tacticians are not in the latter category. They list among their influences Springsteen, Dylan, The Smiths etc. but nothing heard in the show indicates any of this. If anyone, the recollections coming about tonight are firstly for Crowded House in their use of acoustic and harmonies like so many that have come before them before settling into a grittier Thrills vibe. The harmonies are far from perfect but stable nonetheless and the expectations for the gig become very calm, awaiting a wash of slightly abrasive harmonies and sun-kissed tunes to float around the room. We would have left contented if unimpressed with this but this would at least have given a clarity of vision. The Tacticians though are not intent on delivering this kind of sweet little show and it’s a deep disappointment as the rest of the gig sees them intent on creating a vibe of hip, dark London indie-folk that never takes off.

The overarching impression you get of them throughout is they’re trying too hard, unable to really connect with the tiny audience and seemingly feeling the pressure of trying to look and be, well, cool. Their set comes off therefore as a kind of less-spiky Young Knives without the streetwise ability to make the audience truly enjoy. Only one mature lady in front of the stage manages to stay engrossed throughout and that likely had little to do with the music we could all hear. On record, I would place money this lot are actually very good. They certainly have an ear for melody and charming sensibility about them when they simply relax (recent single ‘Hardcore Porn’ isn’t as interesting as its sounds but it is lovely stuff) and play the music instead of posturing or over-emoting.

For now, they need time but this could become something to become interested in when the stage craft get a little tighter and they lighten up on the pose.