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March 18, 2002
Scotsman Review - Session in Scotland tour
Live Reviews: Session in Scotland Tour
King Tut’s, Glasgow
The Radio One "Session in Scotland Tour" is a snapshot of the current Scottish indie scene, highlighting the acts that will - they hope - matter in years to come. In the case of support act Eska, this attention is long overdue. For sure, they’re not an easy listen, choosing to chuck more ideas into a single song than most bands stretch over a long player, but this scattershot approach makes the band an attractive proposition. With constant jump-cuts from histrionic prog-metal riffing to tense, jerky math-rock, all embellished with noodling guitar runs, Eska run the risk of losing their audience.
The band play with such urgency and verve, however, that, even when they stretch songs to breaking point, it’s hard to avoid being swept up by their bloody-minded commitment to innovation.
The same can’t be said of Biffy Clyro. The headliners are mere copyists. They might be assured players, but as they wheel out tired clichés, from the constipated Cobain-style vocals to the staple quiet/loud song structure, it’s hard to understand how Biffy Clyro have clawed their way up to top billing while the superb Eska languish in support.
Jack Mottram Monday, 18th March 2002
The Scotsman
Posted by Chris at March 18, 2002 01:40 PM