Live Review

You Say Party! We Say Die! – Barfly, Cambridge

• 5th Nov 2007

Despite coming to stage last Los Campesinos! are demoted to support You Say Party! We Say Die! in a better system. YSP! WSD! are infinitely more interesting, full of craziness and they have an extra exclamation, which they deserve! Los Campesinos have their’s taken away for dullness.

You simply cannot listen to YSP! WSD! and not dance. A frigging brilliant mix of the GO! Team, CSS and the best of punky guitar pop bands, these freaks put on the best party to hit the town since another synth fest – Manchester’s, The Whip, but a real Monday evening crowd never caught the atmosphere and stood in silence and cold hearted stillness as the jerky vocals and euphoric keyboard passed them by. Dressed as a slightly cheaper LoveFoxx and with all the quirky madness of CSS’ brilliant frontlady, Becky Ninkovic MAKES this band along with the keys. Her odd but infectious voice is as contemporary as it gets; indie disco but without the arrogance of New York. This comes from Vancouver. Canada just keeps producing fabulous, alternative bands. The Canadians might love their old, ‘classic’ rock but on export their music is loved more than any.

At one point Becky jumps the barriers and goes danceabout through a worried crowd, poking us as she goes. Despite a paronoid drummer complaining of awful sound the set is perfectly to the point. ‘Opportunity’ – AA side to new single ‘Like I Give a Care’ is the best of the new tracks from latest album ‘Lose All Time’ with monster, organ like keyboard and superb lyrics (when you hear them): “Opportunity I love her/I’ve seen her dancing softer/I’ve watched her come in closer I’m in love I welcomed her home” ‘The Gap’ from 2005’s album ‘Hit The Floor’ is harder, faster and jerkier. It makes it’s statement and gets out. YSP! WSD! should be 2008’s CSS, THE band for festivals.

They said party! We said Party! Los Campesinos…we died inside.