Live Review: I, Said The Sparrow

Ahead of a long anticipated debut album release, I, Said The Sparrow have finally given the world a taste of what to expect in 043HELLO. The first act to help launch the track, Vice Versa clearly packed with them plenty of Red Bulls, bananas or whatever it is the kids are doing for energy these days. At their best when they moved away from the tired formula so many bands have been flogging for the last couple of years, the heavier Anberlin-styled moments of the quintet showed plenty of promise in what was a passable opening set.

Drinking from a similar (red) cup of American-influenced screamo, Make Believe Me brought the energy in the room to another level. Sincere to their sound, the group doesn't lack talent. In fact, they've got it in leaps and bounds. However, flat, formulaic dynamics resulted in a set that delivered, but in doing so offered no surprises. While done well, one can't help but think they've rocked up to the party about five years too late. Further Earth followed, showing a band that has undergone a substantial metamorphosis. With plenty of strong signs in the new early Silverchair-ish direction, the gamble is yet to pay dividends, as a significant amount of mood and dynamic has been lost. Furthermore, the decision to not play any previously released songs is never easy to swallow for familiar audiences.

As they so often do, consummate professionals I, Said The Sparrow took to the stage and immediately showed up their predecessors. Playing a recognisable set, the band was as they always are: heavy, dirty, salacious and tight. Slotting the new single seamlessly among their earlier catalogue, the hooks, groove and unbridled aggression of the quartet slayed the full room, leaving plenty of sore necks and moist crotches. If the measure of a rock band is how much energy they can extract and return to a room, this band must be one of the best going around this city; time to conquer some new audiences.