Gig Review - Razorlight

Razorlight
Brighton Centre
Tuesday 31st October 2006


“It’s fucking Halloween!” proclaims Johnny Borrell to his rapturous audience. What he fails to notice is that the scariest thing about tonight is how much his band has changed.

With their new album riding high in the charts and single ‘America’ vying with Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy for the title of catchiest song of the year, Razorlight are on a roll. This is clear when drummer Andy signals all systems are go with an incendiary solo to kick-start In The Morning.

From this moment on, Johnny is the star; the paper-thin, paper-colour-clothed focal point of his very accomplished band. Launching into Golden Touch early on, the crowd is in his hands. There is a spectacular drive to the song that ensures resisting joining the mass sing-along sparked is an impossible task.

Old favourite VICE maintains similar urgency, thundering into its frenetic climax with a combination of charm and chaos. There is a youthful feel to these songs that radiates around the enormous Brighton Centre, pulsing through every strained note Johnny sings.

However, this appears to be the last stand for the exuberance of Razorlight’s early years. The seriousness of the band’s intentions is clear before they begin, with messages of worthy causes beaming out from giant screens either side of the stage.

The Live8 effect has drove deeper though, into the heart of Razorlight’s songs. There is a more precise crafting evident in Before I Fall To Pieces – more organised than anarchic, trying to appeal to all. Universal admiration is in their grasp and they intend to get it.

There is little to dislike about melodious numbers such as Kirby’s House, but there is little to love either. Although expertly performed and lapped up by an adoring audience, mid-set the band moves dangerously close to the middle of the road. By the time Los Angeles Waltz is given heartfelt delivery they are becoming - whisper it - rather dull.

However, Razorlight simply have too many great songs to ever be boring. Fall Fall Fall is an exhibition of Johnny’s passion and vocal ability, while Somewhere Else reverberates around the arena with the supreme power only career-defining songs can. In these moments Razorlight meet their aspirations, sounding both mature and exhilarating.

No longer loveable post-Libertines rogues, not yet the U2-esque stadium superstars they will probably become, Razorlight are in transition. Although a bumpy ride, it’s still thrilling watching the journey.


Greg Rose