Razorlight - Manchester Roadhouse
Firstly, Johnny Borrell would like you to know he’s genius and secondly, he’s the best songwriter of his generation, or at least so was claimed in a recent interview. With this to live up to, the first night on their first headline tour would have a lot to prove.
Whilst Borrell and his cohorts Bjorn Agren (guitar), Carl Dalemo (bass) and Christian Smith-Pancorvo (drums) have had labels such as ‘the best new band in Britain’ thrown at them over the last few months, they still can’t seem to shake off the shadow of London neighbours, the Libertines (so Borrell may have played with them once for about 5 minutes, but then again, who hasn’t?). It’s a shame that for tonight’s gig, whilst the hype amongst the fashionarta has caused a sell out, when the band take to the stage it becomes clear that while there are a dedicated handful here for the music, the rest merely come to pose with freshly chopped mullets. Rock is dead, long live Toni & Guy.
Musically, although not as tight as previously seen them, they still make an infectious racket. Energetic, edgy and well, let’s face it, easy on the eye, Borrell’s vocals are backed by those of Agren and Dalemo through previous singles ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Lies’, ‘Rip It Up’ and current offering, ‘Stumble and Fall’. Previewing tracks from the forthcoming album such as ‘Don’t Go Back To Dalston’ and the beautiful ‘Golden Touch’, Razorlight are a band definitely influenced by their environment. A London band producing a London album but not about London where people go out just to be seen but about London where people just get on with their everyday lives, whatever’s thrown at them.
Ending with ‘In The City’ which reaches a chaotic, furious climax, it can’t be denied that Razorlight have a certain something. Whether it’s the burning ambition, the self belief or just the look of sincerity in Borrell’s eyes when he talks to you, there’s something rather special there. Even for a southerner.