Gig Review: Whinge Therapy

Speech Debelle, at Brighton Coalition, October 8th 2009

Nearly a year ago, I raved about the first two Speech Debelle tracks that found my ears. The evidence is here:
Emily Fabpants – I'll Cut the Smile off your Face.

Forget the Mercury Music Prize.

Speech Debelle's Debut Album
+
Lacklustre Live Performance
=
Major Disappointment.

Grizzle, grumble, grouch.

If Speech Debelle had spent more time developing her tracks with an appropriate and able backing band, I might feel differently. The girl needs some proper gritty tunes, sparkling with innovation and attitude, so where the hell are they? The two tracks that I posted here, a full year ago, top the others by miles.

The live show said it all. It was worse than the album. Speech has recruited a one trick pony to back her, and the trick is neither gritty nor good. No band boasting a double bass should frustrate or bore me, let alone both. Just check out the tracks that Sodastream created. Who needs drums or guitars? Well, okay, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Libertines and in the midst of life we are in debt, et cetera.

So, there we have it. Sharp and incisive lyrics have been left to rot on a pile of cat poo and compost and, I say, "It's just not good enough".

At the gig, a very drunk man - stood right behind me (grrrr!) - kept shouting to his mate. "You know, she only has one album". "You know, it won the Mercury Prize". "You know, I'm a big shouty twat".

That's no one's fault but his.

On top of Speech's slightly 'too' casual approach to the live performance and the concept of 'giving it your all', the sound was despicable. Shouty Twat just made it worse. The lyrics were barely audible, and (come on!) that's what we were there for. We've already established that the tunes are mostly tripe.

Some may blame Speech Debelle's sore throat, which she more than apologised for, but she sang just fine. Evidently, the sound person (or idiot) really liked the one trick pony and Speech just wasn't that arsed about it all. What was that? Did you rap something Speech?

I've seen Lady Debelle twice now (I caught her in the Guardian Lounge at Glastonbury). I don't plan to again. It's a shame really. But, hey ho, you can't win 'em all.

Fapbants Recommends:
The life of Sodastream ended on February 18, 2007. I was lucky enough to see them live three times (Brighton, London, Berlin!). They were truly amazing.

Download MP3: Sodastream - Blinky (courtesy of sodastream.net.au)




Download MP3: Sodastream – Devil On My Shoulder (courtesy of sodastream.net.au)




On another note, it's no surprise that when I first heard O Children, I thought "Is this Nick Cave singing about his wife's wonderful tits?" It's not, but O Children are named after a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds track. I mainly like this song for its content. I love the word 'ACE' and it's even better with 'BREASTS'.