Some of Powter’s songs are genuinely pleasant, such as the subtle Free Loop or the piano coda on Song 6, but often the echoes of other, better acts are hard to escape. I was reminded of Billy Idol, Johnny Cash and even the Boss, but only inasmuch as the odd chord or note made my mind wander off to greener musical pastures - all too easy considering the on-stage antics were less than captivating. Powter is at his best when he transcends singing like a Bee Gee with emphysema, as on single Bad Day. At one point, DP shouts: "look at you guys! You’re all beautiful!"
 | | Daniel Powter (pic: Andy Stubbs) |
After I’d overcome the shock of somebody actually using that phrase without a shred of irony, I was reminded of the similarly sickening James Blunt, whose coattails Powter so effortlessly rides. In fairness though, although Daniel’s voice is occasionally a bit odd, at least he doesn’t sing with the accent of a Swede who’s been taught English by a Maori, like Blunt. There’s a willingness in the room to accept DP’s earnest messages between songs, which cover edgy themes like drug abuse and parental loathing, in addition to some gratuitous swearing, but please, Daniel, think of the children. ‘Let the good times roll’, he thunders at one point, but the only rolling imaginable is that of tumbleweed. Daniel’s right-on stance felt genuine, however, and he seemed truly grateful for the position he now finds himself in. The Sing-a-long-a-Powter that happened mid-set saw kids on shoulders and prompted a rapturous applause. Unfortunately, his music evokes other, better music, and it is difficult to think of DP as something other than a support act. Essentially it was music-by-numbers for those who probably see a hat and a guitar as alternative and somehow feel enriched by avoiding manufactured music. Give me Girls Aloud any day. |
