Cymbals Eat Guitars
Deaf Institute, Manchester
06/09/2010

It’s a sign of these ever-accelerating blog-hyped times that Cymbals Eat Guitars’ debut album ‘Why There Are Mountains’ feels like aeons ago. In fact it was just last autumn, but tonight’s attempted set list at the Deaf Institute already feels like a transition between old and forthcoming material.

The Fly uses the word attempted because unfortunately for the New York four-piece, the hired equipment they’ve commandeered for the fortnight’s UK jaunt repeatedly malfunctions, casting a negative light over an hour that promised much greater returns. The problems start when support act Fanzine’s lead guitarist finds his audibility subject to the mercy of a particularly temperamental Fender amp; though, when Cymbals’ take to the stage it seems placated, allowing the group to viscerally launch into their brand of restless college rock. Then the problems start. As Brian Hamilton’s keyboard cuts out during the anthemic sprawl of ‘…And The Hazy Sea’ and Joseph D’Agostino’s guitar begins to follow suit, the frontman’s already intensely searing string thrashing only heightens as he battles to find his sound.

It’s a shame because when the group manage to break through the murk, they offer glimpses of excellence that suggest they’re a far better live outfit than the night’s constraints are allowing them to be. A re-worked ‘Tunguska’ in particular bristles with Pavement-esque vibrancy whilst the wondering bass line of ‘Wind Phoenix’ struts out towards the audience in a way that is very much lacking from the rest of the ferocious but introverted set. Sadly for Cymbals Eat Guitars it’s a little too late to regain a dwindling audience and although they battle resiliently to the end, there’s a hollow feeling indeed as The Fly leaves the venue. Sometimes it’s just not your night.       

Simon Jay Catling