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Live Review
by SashaS
29-1-2003
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| Dave McPherson in live InMe action |
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Live: InMe
Mean Fiddler, London
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
InMe lead the way out of Brit-rock doldrums
The plague of most chart-toppers taking only weeks to become ‘heroes’ (and just a few more months to pen autobiographies!?) continues although some bands still do earn their stripes. InMe are a good example of working for success that has seen them netting a status of one of the brightest British hopes. And the signs are better as the band gets a vociferous ‘InMe’ chant before its members ever get anywhere near the amps.
And, despite the band’s debut album, ‘Overgrown Eden’, being out just a day, this is dedicated audience that sings along to quite a few tracks. But, from the opening bars we get a lesson in intriguing tracks and intricate arrangements. What makes InMe unique is that they mix so many elements in their sonic blender to veto a soundbite: you can’t name a couple of reference groups – alike in the case of AudioSlave: too little Rage, too much Zepp – because you can roll 15, from U2, Nirvana to The Shadows, via Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, nu-metal, emo, indie, atmo, prog to ethereal (‘Tranches’)…
This outfit pishes all over goups like Muse, Hundred Reasons, The Music, Travis, et al, and shows how things are done with a sense of experiment on its agenda. InMe can be as wild and furious as ballady and complex at a drop of a plectrum, playing with confidence and authorative ease. Having taken more than 18 months from signing a contract to release the debut platter – three singles, ‘Underdose’, ‘Firefly’ and ‘Crushed Like Fruit’ (#25 hit!), paving the way – to have foundations firmly planted.
A growth that certainly is not clouded by an overwhelming ego of a frontman: Dave McPherson must be the only singer/guitarist who doesn’t dominate the stage but is an integral part of the band. Rather refreshing to see a trio up there – bassist Joe Morgan and drummer Simon Taylor are the remaining twosome – that refuses a cliché of a ‘focus-and-backers’ so obviously. And with such power and dynamics to make one feels like a skittle just before a bowling alley strike!
With McPherson’s unobtrusive stage presence, even his ‘thank-yous’ are emo-restrained, that might well be down to introvertness, it leaves plenty of room for the other two to be noticed: Morgan with his more energetic onstage moves and Taylor coming into his own during a song like ‘IceWarm’ which touches on the reggae-style of drumming. The songs are short, candid, sometimes mean, often moody but always magnificent, and with an overwhelming feel of spontaneity… And, force: ‘Energy’ is like a twister, destroying all in its path…
While the rest of Brit-musicians stride along, InMe appear to be the only band able to take the Americans at their own game and truly contest the bout.
SashaS
29-1-2003
InMe album ‘Overgrown Eden’ is released on 27 January 2003 on Music For Nations
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