Sons & Daughters - 12/02/2008

Written by Robert Ferguson | Monday, February 18, 2008 |

“G’an Yersel” roared Adele Berthel, instantly receiving the same rallying cry back from the several Scots in the crowd. While not exactly comparable to the more savage cruelty Scots warriors have inflicted on the English down the tributaries of history, there was nonetheless a delicious sense of mischief in the lead singer’s explanation that she cannot resist shouting this most Scottish of encouragements every time the band play in England.

And that after all, is the Sons & Daughters all over. Their performance at the University of London Union was a fierce and intoxicating assault on the senses, mixing the feral folk-rock of days gone by with the more polished hook laden sound of songs from new album This Gift. And on this form, it didn’t seem like a radical juxtaposition so much as a natural progression, the connecting thread being a thrilling swagger not seen in a Scottish act since the Jesus & Mary Chain in their heyday. Anyone in attendance concerned about the disparity between the material of three years ago and now would surely have had their mind set at ease, the live set making it clear it was all part of the foursome’s plan.

The assembled crowd at ULU were treated to thrilling versions of favourites like “Johnny Cash” and “Dance Me In”, the latter in particular coming off as the sonic equivalent of a one-night stand who plies you with booze, then steals your wallet while you sleep it off.
(Only slightly) less malevolent new tracks such as “Nest” and recent single “Gilt Complex” were well received. The lack of the old sharing of vocal duties gave Adele a platform to really show off her underrated vocal abilities, and the band in turn stepped up to the plate with a tight display of crunching guitar and ferociously solid basswork.

Overall the impression was one of a band fully at ease with what some have termed a disappointing change of direction, and more importantly, ready to batter the naysayers into submission.

External Links
www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.com
www.myspace.com/sonsanddaughters
 

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