If you who haven't come across this band yet you could do worse than grabbing a copy of their debut album Programmed to Love.
It has most elements that are required in an album catchy songs and, more importantly, a long shelf life so it gets better with repeated listening.
Bent are two chaps from Nottingham - Nial and Simon - who have a penchant for trying to make beautiful music using samples from the worst records recorded.
This gig was a bit different than normal as the venue is all seated and is usually a Cabaret / Comedy venue. The evening started with an element of the bizarre and it continued throughout.
After an interlude of chilled music a compare appeared dressed in a pair of Speedo trunks, t-shirt, fake plastic tash and swimming cap who then mumbled a joke about being David Wilke and introduced the band. All a bit odd but exactly what you would expect from Bent.
They took to the stage to the opening music from Star Wars looking somewhat sheepish. All with a backdrop showing a faux 'Star Wars' graphic with 'Bent' in it's place slowly rising (like the film) into the distance.
The first song was the excellent 'Excercise 1', a series of twisted samples and noises, the main one being someone extolling the virtues of digital recording with it's meaning suitably inverted. Meanwhile a film montage about space and the solar system featured the image and name of Patrick Moore making a cameo appearance.
Next up was their sublime 'I Love My Man', which samples Nana Mouskouri. The enchanting strummed guitar intro, lovely string sounds and the 'I love my man' vocal drifting through the mix never fails to raise a smile in the most hardened heart.
The live version is a pretty faithful replica of the album one except for the extra bite on the bass and drum sounds.
During the whole set they are playing sections of the tracks live on keyboards and on a couple with live guitar. After the almost bemused start they begin to warm to the task (and forget about the crowd) and began beguiling the audience with their distinctive melodies.
During all the songs the background films and slides echo the songs themes, with the common thread between them all being trees / flowers and natural settings. The best was a hand held video camera following the, cartoon illustrated, safety instructions on using a gun : ie don't point at your head etc.
The real highlights are at the later in the set when Zoe brings her sublime vocal talents to the mix. When the song 'Swollen' starts up, with it's fuzzy bass line and strings and delicate piano melody, the crowd become visibly more attentive.
The song is a laconic love song with sounds echoing through the mix with a driving bass that makes it quite funky. The song suits Zoe's angelic vocals style perfectly and it's probably the most experimental edged pop love song you will ever hear.
They go straight into 'Always in my heart', which also features the vocal talents of Zoe, and it's an upbeat affair with the almost rave-esque keyboard lines and chugging beats. They end with this rather baroque track and they get a near standing ovation, it was a seated gig after all.
All in all it was a gig that made you smile and think that with a bit more beautiful music and humour the world can be a better place
