Live Review - Mark Lanegan Band

Mark Lanegan Band

The Library, HMV Institute, Birmingham

Monday 12th March

Mark Lanegan's new album Blues Funeral was reviewed as a Mojo magazine 'Masterpiece', but from the first six songs that Lanegan plays, only one of them are from his new record. The older trio of 'Sleep with Me', 'Hit the City' and 'Wedding Dress' that follow the gyrating bass of 'Gravedigger's Song' delights the crowd, with one girl in front of me so pleasantly surprised by the setlist that she spins around 360 degrees to the bemusement, and embarrassment of her dragged along boyfriend. 

But it is the strong new material that excites me most, with Lanegan finally letting his voice rip halfway through the set on well placed faster track 'Quiver Syndrome'. His rugged, gravel toned voice strains in 'The Moon don't smile on Saturday's child' and shakes the room, but he himself barely moves, holding on to his mircophone stand at all times. When silent, he looks down to his right, his eyes hidden and shadowed by his dominating brow. His most extreme movement is when he lifts a finger in unison with the beat on his microphone. In between songs, he doesn't speak until a mumbled introduction of his band members several songs in. After all, the audience have not come to see him, but rather to hear that voice.

It is the fantastic 'Ode to Sad Disco' that encourages the crowd to bounce up and down, lifting their arms as well as listen, with even Lanegan swaying his head from side to side. The song is emblematic of Langan's new sound, a melancholic effect being raised through the juxtaposition of his low, often tender, tones with an invigorating pulsating electronic beat and basslines. His baritone voice works equally well on the faster 'Grey Goes Black' and the aforementioned 'Quiver Syndrome', but the slower and more delicate songs, such as penultimate track 'Haborview Hospital,' feature subtle chord changes that compliment Lanegan's voice beautifully. Lanegan closes with old favourite 'Methamphetamine Blues', and as he exited the stage I was left with an unusual feeling at the end of a gig - I wished that he had played more new songs.