大象传媒

There's nothing sadder than a band past its time. Especially a local act that keeps plodding, like a seaside donkey at the end of the season. And frankly, when we heard that the Betes Noires, formerly Blind Eye View, were now rebranded and trading as the Cutaways, we feared the worst.

But hey, the Cutaways are a bit good. The tunes are brighter and more concise. The harmonies twinkle and the addition of Angie on backing vocals (and keys) is loosely similar to Kate Pierson's work with REM on 茂驴陆Out Of Time'. The tunes have extra texture and sass and the way that 茂驴陆Big Cheer' hurtles into a different key is especially neat.

Paul wears rubbish shoes but otherwise his taste is beyond question. Simon sings a dapper track near the end about someone getting wound up and this is also swell. The Cutaways are a preppy dance session with Weezer by the ice box and the Go-Gos getting lairy in the living room.

The Elliots are also aiming to quicken the mood. Their set is commendably swift and full of tunes you can hum. And by the time they reach 茂驴陆Torch Song' around midnight, it's been an exhausting ride. Alan gives it his utmost at the front of the stage but they all need to relent a little, to find a smidgeon of contrast in the songs. Otherwise it's like reading a mass of capital letters and exclamation marks: nothing stands out after a while.

Both bands understand the Prince philosophy that life is just a party and parties aren't meant to last. But sometimes you need a breather in the middle, and some extra fizz at the end.

Stuart Bailie