At any given show, most audience members aren't familiar with the opening band. Which is why some, like me when The Noisettes opened for Bloc Party in Philadelphia last year, linger around the bar area while the openers perform. I didn't regret committing that quasi faux pas until I heard the Noisettes' debut EP, Three Moods of the Noisettes. Now I feel like kicking myself in the ass. Based on this EP, I bet they put on a great live set.
This U.K. trio is led by Shingai Shoniwa, whose voice is equal parts gritty pop and rugged Americana. Her voice makes a good first impression on opener "Don't Give Up," which is set to the rhythm of a nice bar brawl. The Noisettes have a knack for filling in the gap that exists between a mountain ditty and a bouncy pop romp with "Monte Christo"; "Signs" is a bass-y number merged with some delectable jittery pop melodies, and "Burn" is laden with some stoned bluesy riffs.
If Three Moods of The Noisettes taught me anything, it's to catch the warm-up acts. It seems as if the members of The Noisettes have a bright future ahead of them, something I hope their upcoming full-length, due for release this year, proves.
The Noisettes Web site (streaming audio)
Low Altitude Web site
