The Hundred In The Hands
Barfly, London
27/04/2010

Boy, are we glad we’re not the impatient types. After 30 minutes of waiting for headliner The Hundred In The Hands to take the stage at Barfly we’re watching a few disgruntled punters start to slope off towards the exit.

This is most definitely a faux pas as once technical difficulties are overcome the stage awakens – not just with a dozy yawn either but a full-blown roar. Jason Friedman’s guitar purrs, smoke pours out, the strobe is flashing uncontrollably and Eleanore Everdell’s seductively alluring voice cuts through the hypnotic electronics like a nonchalant Ladyhawke. A unanimous decision – they were worth the wait.

This is one band you just have to see live. All the way from Boston they’ve produced an album that is good. Very good. Great even. But the haunting synth, banging bass and Jason’s hand feverishly creating all kinds of magic from a selection of guitars is unmissable. The music attacks the walls as it stretches the confines of the room and pleads for space to grow. We can see them as the unexpected highlight of festivals up and down the country this summer.

The duo recently signed to Warp records, which has been a surprise to some who feel the sound isn’t as experimental as the label’s other acts. While digital beats overlaid with twee vocals may not be the most original way to produce music, the result is far from ordinary. The repetitive and whispered ‘In To It’ is pulsing and ethereal whilst tracks ‘Dressed In Dresden’ and ‘Building In L.O.V.E’ are electronic disco delights. We already can’t get enough.

Roxanne Fisher