Gig Review - We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists
Rock City, Nottingham
Saturday 4th November


Rock stars aren’t funny. Sure, Noel Gallagher’s latest outburst or Pete Doherty’s most recent brush with the law/press/pavement can raise a smile, but there hasn’t been a comedian in music since John Lennon chose to marry a short, crazy woman named Yoko. Enter We Are Scientists.

Tonight, this New York band showcase their catchy, quirky sound as well as their unique sense of humour. Mixed in with the sharp, tight style of this accomplished three-piece are covers of none other than Phil Collins and Boyz 2 Men – yet they feel right at home. Indie-by-numbers this isn’t.

Opening with the aforementioned Collins cover - Against All Odds – the band bewilder by making a song also covered by Westlife sound both innovative and fun. They don’t even need to sit on stools.

This opening statement cajoles the kids crammed inside this grandiose venue into loosening up somewhat. The stand-offish cool radiating from the stylish audience is soon replaced by a sweating mass of smiles as the band tears through single It’s a Hit with aplomb.

This assurance surges through the set, elevating middling tracks such as Can’t Lose into purposeful, swaggering statements. Scene Is Dead positively oozes confidence, from its throbbing bass line to its knowingly self-deprecating lyrics.

Nevertheless, despite the throng of devotees singing every word and laughing at every (pretty hilarious) Borat reference, We Are Scientists haven’t discovered the perfect formula just yet. Wittiness and catchy songs impress, but the lack of depth is striking.

The similarity of numerous songs creates a one-dimensional feel to the set, comedy covers aside. For a prolonged shelf-life, We Are Scientists need to concentrate on song-writing as much as slapstick.

However, in The Great Escape, they possess a song of such vigour that resisting the urge to flail your arms around and dance badly becomes impossibility. Such is the giddy joy of the tune even good dancers are predisposed to lose all rhythm and control.

Leaving the stage to this indie bookmark, the crowd is left happy. Returning to sing a triumphant rendition of Boyz 2 Men’s End of the Road, the crowd is ecstatic. Hands held aloft, throats stretched to breaking point, Rock City’s audience burst their lungs for a mock-R&B scream-along. The band simply orchestrates this sheer unadulterated merriment.

It’s easy to over-elaborate on limitations and faults, but We Are Scientists don’t allow time for this. Frenetic pacing, memorable pop and laughter – why aren’t all gigs this much fun?

7 out of 10

Greg Rose