About Group
Old Blue Last, London
23/02/2011

There comes a point in a musician’s career when they are able to play anything with anyone. When it works, the instrument swapping, genre-bending phenomenon better known as the supergroup is thrilling, yet they can be hard to love. Damon Albarn (something of an expert) has led the way in recent years, and now another British pop cult hero is trying his luck.

Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor was evidently looking for an outlet for his inner introvert, the musical geek that lurks behind even Hot Chip’s most chart-friendly moments, when he tracked down Charles Hayward (This Heat), Pat Thomas and John Coxon (Spiritualized). It’s a quartet overflowing with intelligence and experimental, belligerent talent. Combined with the knowledge that Taylor allowed his bandmates to interpret his songs any which way they pleased, it’s a thoroughly exhilarating prospect. Together again for their second album (the first snuck out in 2009), About Group are in east London for a not-so-secret secret show. Both their greying temples and stoic demeanour are in stark contrast to the bright young things that are usually found on this stage, but then, so is their music. The band had hardly heard the songs Taylor had written before recording the album, so no one has a predefined role, a blueprint they must adhere to or indeed any sonic restriction whatsoever. And it shows. Hammond organs, psychedelic guitars and authoritarian drums undercut every track, with Taylor’s impassioned vocals and keys adding soulful resonance.

‘You’re No Good’ and ‘Don’t Worry’ shine in a set that prods at prog, hints at pop and nods to jazz. About Group concentrate hard, but this could be a basement jam, such is the trust and intuition they share. Eschewing navel-gazing and self-indulgence, they are a supergroup to fall madly in love with.

Ben Homewood