MarineVille and Over the Atlantic @ Happy

Saturday 9 October@ Happy

he opening act, Over the Atlantic inspired mixed emotions. They performed songs that were largely, or possibly completely, improvised, and it is to their credit that the difference was difficult to ascertain. What impressed most about them was their guitar sound. The singer's guitar sounded like it was underwater. Please note that this is not a bad thing. The other guitarist alternated between a spidery shattered glass tone and a monstrous treble-kicking fuzz. This separation of tones, when combined with a drummer whose restraint kept things from getting too epic, had a pleasingly hypnotic effect. Their songs didn't really go anywhere however and didn't end so much as collapse, but while in progress were often quite strikingly beautiful. Given time, this band could be something quite spine-melting.

In front of a criminally small crowd, Marineville did not so much take the stage as accrete gradually, and without so much as a set list. I feared self indulgence, but this was thankfully to prove unfounded. And when the lead singer opened their set with a plug for 9 volt batteries (24 for $24 at Dick Smith Electronics - pedal hoarding guitarists, take note) I knew everything was going to be Just Fine. The ensuing performance was strangely... friendly, like watching a band practise in their garage. They weren't so tight, but they were charming, which is ultimately more important.

Their set, which was agreed upon by comedic onstage discussion between songs, consisted mostly of material from the forthcoming record “Diving The Wreck,” and it is with regret that I inform you that if their performance was any kind of reliable indicator, then this record is going to be really quite essential. Showing more range and songwriting strength than the “Ready for the Dance” era material, highlights included the fierce caterwaul of “Let's Build A House,” the almost-but-not-quite country of “The Fire,” which moves warily around a truly magnificent slide guitar part, and the set closer “Diving The Wreck,” which lets the two guitarists wander off a pier somewhere while the rhythm section clatters on unconcerned.

I have always found concert reviews to be a little... misguided. Why tell people how a specific show was? Either they were there - in which case you are (hopefully) preaching to the choir, or they weren't - in which case it is too late. In this case however, there is a more compelling reason. Marineville will be at Happy again for an album release on November the 13th. And if you like meandering guitars that fill every corner of the room and creep under every door, held together by a rhythm section possessing the careful precision of a japanese spacecraft, then you really should attend. Because I asked you nicely.

Best buy a CD while you're there, too. Because I might not ask you nicely again.

The Package

POSTED BY Mark ON 22 November 2004