Live Review // Rolo Tomassi

The ubiquity of Diplo in 2009 was a little more obvious than his recent project; the production of Rolo Tomassi’s forthcoming album which is to be released “around April, probably” according to keys man James Spence. The effects, however, are still apparent in an electric, bass-driven performance which shows what the band can achieve when they’re heading in the right direction.

That is not to say that they have changed beyond recognition; the noise inexplicably coming from petite Eva Spence’s mouth is still between bloody awful and terrifying, James Spence erupts in his own bag of bombs dance-sing-play-synth-die routine and the other three are as technically proficient as their psychiatrists would have to be, if he could stop them dancing along the bar. Yet there is a coherence here which is not apparent on first record Hysterics and a more discernible rhythm to attract the aloof foot-tappers and shakers along with the thrashers. Opener ‘Fofteen’ is captivating without losing its explosive energy, new song ‘Party Wounds’ is the closest you’ll hear to a Foals-Slayer fusion for a while and ‘Oh Hello Ghost’ remains a typical example of what they can do when they rein themselves in for 30 seconds. But they don’t want to, and although there is not a huge amount of initial appeal in this band for me, that kind of passion and presence is impressive. It takes full commitment to be in a band like Rolo Tomassi and they certainly have it.

Rolo Tomassi played Deaf Institute, Manchester on 18/1/10. For more on the band including their forthcoming sophomore LP click through to their myspace.