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24th October 2001 — The Garage, London UK
Setlist
Future song
Submarine
Flute song
To be
Breeze
Reverie
Jewel
Driving in the sun
Fragile
Sunrise
Everywhere
Far away
Adrift
Encore I
Cloudless
Angel Bell
Lilies
Adoration
Encore II
EG Shining
Paris and Rome
Review(s)
Until the performance @ The Garage, I'd heard of the band, but never heard any of the music. Where the fuck have I been indeed.
So I turn up at the venue, around 5ish to sound check as I was playing guitar at the upstairs venue for a friend's band. I had no idea Cranes where playing downstairs until I arrived. Having a couple or so hours to kill afterward sound check, I went downstairs where the Cranes were having theirs. Hardly anyone was there except for a couple engineers and a couple of the band's family. I was a little anxious as I had had a week to learn a 45 minute set for the gig upstairs so after hearing a few numbers, including 'Jewel' I believe, I was already blown away and my worries washed away. Who the hell were these guys? Why are they so good? Why hadn't I heard of them before? So after talking to Ali & Jim's ever so sweet Mum, she excitedly brought me up to speed on the band - several albums, international tours, major labels etc. I wasn't really surprised, it made sense.
As when seeing all very special bands live, the atmosphere was sublime. There was a little stall where you could buy the band's merchandise from none other than Ali & Jim's Mum, who seemed to glow the whole evening as she enthusiastically did the biz. After the support band, there was some very original experimental music being played before the band came on (sounded almost like a Nine Inch Nails remix of Cranes - can anyone tell me?). The excitement was definitely building.
So on they came just past half nine, and launched straight into several songs and to be honest it was a bit of a blur, I was just taken away to somewhere quite magical. What struck me so hard was the use of space the band used, especially the drummer playing over the loops, the way the guitar subtly complimented the vocals, which although weren't loud enough, was still powerful in its subtlety. Sometimes I felt a song or two which didnt have any bass guitar but keyboards, perhaps needed it, but this was all inconsequential to the quality of the performance. This band are living proof of the less is more approach.
On one song, the guitarist started a very slow tempo mellow riff. Midway into the song it suddenly got faster and faster, drums and guitar locking into a rolling rhthym and gaining speed to a climax which finally exploded into a chaotic mesh of guitar effects and the some of the most amazing drumming. Super fast almost jazzy drum rolls, huge cymbals smashes, the intensity was breathtaking. It felt like watching the show on fast forward, just like watching Jimi Hendrix soloing on those live videos. And then, followed by a drum roll which slowed as it progressed, the band launched into the original slow tempo riff just as they had started. What the fuck?! Everyone's faces lit up and there were cheers from everyone who could cheer and wasn't completely mesmerised. It was transcendental, and no I wasn't under the influence of any hallucinogenic drugs at this time.
After a couple more otherworldly numbers, I was close to tears. Then I had to leave, sometime half way through their set, to go and play for my friend's band upstairs. I really didn't want to. Came downstairs afterwards, where the band were packing up. They were really enjoying the company of their fans, signing autographs, and there never a uncomfortable feeling that you couldn't talk to them. I was far too shy to talk to Ali but I briefly spoke to the guitarist Jim, a most humble and friendly guy, who was pleased to hear the compliments. When I asked him how it felt have the new record out on their own label, he cynically replied "Well, we're cool now."
They certainly are.
Reviewed by Rob Bradley, guitarist with London band, Cracked.
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