Tuesday 17/05/05 JJ72 @ Academy 3, Manchester

If you dig up an old music magazine from 2000, it wouldn't be unlikely to find an article about JJ72.  Their angst-driven, epic tunes impressed many, and propelled their self-titled debut record to over half a million sales.  Fast forward five years, the music scene has moved on, and clearly so have the band.  Original bassist, the foxy Hilary Woods, is no longer present, and instead we have Sarah, erm, Fox, who is equally pleasing on the eye.  And yes Mark Greaney still looks like a choir boy.

A capacity crowd witness the JJ's easing back into the groove, and to sample the band's forthcoming third album.  So what of the new material?  Well, it's generally quite rocky, but also very hit-and-miss.  'Everything' and 'Radio' are promising, while 'Take From Me' is also impressive, but soon-to-be-released download single 'She's Gone' doesn't capture attention, though the diehard fans applaud like it's the greatest thing ever written.  'Underground' is dire, but at least 'Heat' kicks some ass, and a militarily tight performance makes up for the lack of interaction between the band and audience.

Obviously the old material is greeted with enthusiasm, and the lack of success for the band's second record is indicated by 'Formulae' being the only track performed from it.  'Algeria' and 'Long Way South' have the place rocking, and Greaney shows an impressive vocal ability during 'Undercover Angel' and particularly 'Oxygen'.  By the time 'Snow' closes things, most in attendance are lapping it up like it's been a spectacular gig - but it quite obviously wasn't.  It's a proffessional performance from the band, but perhaps lacks in essential passion.  A comfortable return for the band then, but they'll definitely need to raise their game to conquer the main stage at Download Festival.