13 September 2007 (gig)
30 September 2007
The More Assured are a band that sound like everyone and noone at the same time.
There is something welcome and familiar about their youthful, high energy sound, with references to most of the popular British (and American) indie-rock sounds out at the moment, yet they also sound like no one band.
The sound is fresh, singer Alex has a nice range, a likeable voice and is passionate and focused as a frontman.
Bassist Slinky is bonkers, or rather, that is the persona he wants to create on stage – the band are young, with even younger fans, and they have clearly subscribed to that 'need a nutter in the band’ to spark attention.
Personally, I think they have enough style and substance – rare in today’s often tired music scene – not to necessarily require that.
Slinky, when he does stand still, plays tightly alongside Alex, supporting with his solid bassline, the pair clearly the linchpin of the band. He is a sweetheart too, with a smile that would make the harshest of critics forgive him any faux pas.
Drummer Norway is excellent, playing with an understated force, energy and talent that is undoubted.
Lead guitarist Mattt is something of a misfit. He plays well enough, but the presence on stage was one of disjointed feeling within the band that needs to be addressed. He looked out of place, like a session musician might, where Slinky and Alex appear good friends as well as band mates.
I liked the set, with the band’s killer tracks staggered in the right places – the very catch forthcoming single (out October 29th) 'All In Your Head’, 'Let’s Get Kooky’, 'Zones’ and the excellent 'Beat You Down’ – getting all the artsy-yet-tortured-souls-in-training-whilst-wanting-to-look-like-Kate-Moss crowd going (sorry...it was a ridiculously young crowd. Or I'm getting really old), while balancing with some lesser known, but equally bouncy tracks interspersed.
I think TMA have a lot of potential – having fun and enjoying their youth while having the ability to deliver much more in the future. Keep an eye on them.
