JIM NOIR (London Borderline, 17/01/08)

Basically the Fast Show’s “Brilliant” guy with a guitar, Jim Noir’s hesitancy after a long break off the road didn’t get in the away of a charming (if slightly chaotic) show that suffered only for its extreme brevity. Previewing new material, it’s clear the chirpy Mancunian is still in thrall to the spectral harmonies of Brian Wilson, although the tendrils of classic 70’s rock have started to encroach upon his trademark psychedelic pop. Vocodered vocals add an intriguing new element to the mix and although by no means a revolutionary step forward, the new stuff does seem to vary enough to reinvigorate a formula that might have quickly gone stale. A few staples from the days of yore made welcome appearances (Eanie Meany, The Computer Song), but his reluctance to play My Patch was badly-judged, especially as his set clocked in a paltry 35 minutes. More than a few audience members left the Borderline feeling short-changed, and given that he was doing so well up until then, you couldn’t help think he’d just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory

Supports The 586 also deserve a mention, if only because they straddled the line between brilliance and awfulness so precariously that I’m entirely unsure what to think of them. One part Man Man, one part The Specials, their garish, baroque synth-pop was irrepressibly energetic, impeccably delivered and often strikingly catchy, with the chemistry between vocalists Deborah Coughlin and Steve Horry palpable throughout. But there’s only so much self-aware eccentricity a man can take, and after thirty minutes of shrieking hysteria I’d more than had my fill. They’re essentially the Mighty Boosh in musical form- extrapolate from that as you will.