Apr 30 2008 12:59 pm,
White Rabbits / Christian Silva / Teenagersintokyo
Borderline,
30/04/2008
After a strangely muted response to the release of their fiery debut album ‘Fort Nightly’, White Rabbits return to the UK to further convince us of their brilliance, and on the back of tonight’s outstanding performance it’s even more difficult to understand why the band isn’t yet making waves as big as fellow Brooklynites MGMT and Vampire Weekend.
Support act Christian Silva is up first to a small but polite crowd who have braved the rain-soaked streets to catch some of the singer/songwriter’s dramatic, indie ballads. They needn’t have bothered - the floppy fringe-shaking boy is talented, but his falsetto vocals and sweeping keys are far too reminiscent of Jeff Buckley to make any real impact, and a dreadful cover of Roy Orbison’s ‘You Got It’ complete with wailing violin solo is the final nail in the coffin for this disappointingly derivative act. Teenagersintokyo lighten the mood, however, getting the growing gathering dancing to their dark and rhythmic art-rock as they clatter, clunk and shriek their way through a compelling set while spirited lead singer Samantha Lim shimmies, hops and sways around so much it looks like her spindly legs are made of rubber bands.
Party over, it’s time for a little after-hours entertainment – and White Rabbits’ eerie, atmospheric offerings hit the spot perfectly. Our headliners look dapper as ever; suited and booted for the occasion, the sixsome – who boast three singers and two drummers - churn out hypnotic rhythms, pummelled basslines, playful pianos, cracked vocals and attacking riffs as soon as they hit the stage. ‘While We Go Dancing’ is a highlight, as is a crunchy version of ‘The Plot’; however, it’s the powerful climax of ‘Kid On My Shoulders’ and a frenzied take on Bob Dylan’s ‘Maggie’s Farm’ that really bring the Borderline to its knees and leave us begging for more. White Rabbits rock, and it’s time to start shouting about it.
Camilla Pia
