Live

White Rose Movement, Humanzi

Benjamin Short 05/06/2006

Tonight is the night to discover if the most over-hyped representatives of the 1980s art-rock revival deserve their reputation. But firstly, a sizeable fanbase is in attendance solely to see Humanzi, a truly empathetic choice of support act. Singer Shaun Mulrooney (yes, they're Irish), is resplendent in a torn Lou Reed t-shirt, and the legendary NYC smackhead would undoubtedly approve of the band's stylish sleaze rock.

White Rose Movement kick off with the title track from their newly released debut album, before launching straight into their recent trio of electrifying singles. 'Love is a Number' steals the bassline from Joy Division's 'Transmission' with thrilling results, and the shrill chorus of 'Girls in the Back' is more camp than Duran Duran. 'Alsatian' is a trashy canine noise feast with a bite to match its bark. Lyrically 'London's Mine' references Morrissey and Marr, but the music is more akin to Depeche Mode and the Human League. 'Deborah Carne' receives its first ever live transmission, and sounds sublime. Taxxi is suave as ever, providing a glacial keyboard backdrop for the belligerent vocals of Finn Vine and the unrelenting bass of Owen Dyke. White Rose Movement play hard, play fast, and play loud. Their set ends before it begins, no encores, no bullshit, no surrender. Audience interaction is limited to badmouthing labelmates Embrace, and rightly so. Unlike their dreary Leodisian colleagues, White Rose Movement are a band with the World At Their Feet.