Gig played on 01/11/05

Anyone expecting Nine Black Alps to spearhead the grunge revival can look away now. Hailed at the start of the year as redeemers of the noble cause of rock'n'roll, great things have been expected from this Mancunian quartet. For sure, a shared aesthetic of quiet-loud-quite dynamics and a fondness for plaid shirts and a dress-down policy with a certain trio from Seattle had them marked down as the band most likely to revive a once vibrant genre, but it's clear from tonight's performance that this isn't their mission.

Despite possessing a photogenic frontman in the shape of Sam Forrest and a bevy of killer tunes, Nine Black Alps lack the necessary charisma and sex appeal to take them to the next level of stardom. This in itself is no bad thing as it leaves the band to focus on what they do best which is to deliver a relentlessly breathless onslaught of hooks, soaring choruses and distorted, snarling guitars. Indeed, it's this off-balance combination that strangely brings to mind the early days of Teenage Fanclub.

Their relentless touring schedule has certainly paid dividends, as from the off Nine Black Alps sound tighter and all together more focussed than the nervous incarnation that took the stage at London's tiny Infinity club back in January. Back then it was all furtive searching fuelled by a natural exuberance, now there's a sense of urgent propulsion. The atonal guitars of "Not Everyone" coalesce into a miasma of bludgeoning rhythms that are perfectly matched by an explosive "Get Your Guns", as bassist Martin Cohen and guitarist David Jones adopt a heads-down attitude to deliver their sonic payload.

The undisputed highlight is an incredible "Unsatisfied" that sees Sam Forrests's circular, swooping riff intertwine beautifully with David Jones' delicate yet forceful arpeggios to create the kind of monster that Editors would kill to possess, while further down the line a gorgeously delivered "Intermission" evidences an ability to stretch beyond the ramalama they're best known for.

With the band in a more forceful shape than they were a year ago, there's a definite sense of closure about Nine Black Alps' performance, one that suggests a second chapter of growth and development with even more interesting things to come. And that's something to look forward to.

by James Marshall