Zutonkhanuum

Mountford Hall, 11.12.06

They were pretty brilliant last night, The Zutons. Big hooks, big riffs, big songs, big hair; they were massive and nearly took the roof off the University main hall. I've seen them live a few times now and every time they seem to take their blend of super trebbly swamp pop to new levels. Buoyed by a euphoric hometown crowd, The Zutons grew in confidence as the set went on, even half way through indulging themselves and the crowd (but mostly themselves) in a full ten minutes worth of the psych wig out Zutonkhanuum. The highlight for me was the inspired segue of a heavy dub swamp groove (oh yes!) into Tired of Hangin' Around. That song takes on a new life heard live in the room; they sounded like vintage Dexy's, and that's no mean feat.

The thing is, words can only detract from what The Zutons do. They're all about feel. If you haven't caught them live, do so. If you have, do so again - they'll be even better than last time.