Music / Reviews
Review: Syd Arthur/Morgan Delt, Exchange
All hair, headbands and feedback, LA bedroom psychedelicist Morgan Delt and his band perform extended wigouts with an apt boudoir pallor, such as I Don’t Wanna See What’s Happening Outside. Morgan’s voice is not particularly strong and attention starts to wander during the more meandering material, but they hit the mark when they opt to rock out, veering into vintage Hawkwind territory.
Regular visitors to Bristol, Canterbury’s Syd Arthur really ought to be a lot bigger after four albums, but the Exchange is packed for a show that proves to be something of a break with the past. Sure, their music remains as warm, sunny and accessible as ever, despite its often fiendish complexity, blending elements of jazz, folk, psychedelia and prog into a suitably nourishing organic stew.
But much of the old material is out – no Edge of the Earth this time – tonight’s set being dominated by new-ish album Apricity. That’s no bad thing, as the quartet hardly need to be imprisoned by their past at this stage of their career. It’s a strong collection of songs, with slicker arrangements and a new addition to the sonic palette into the form of Raven Bush’s increasingly dominant keyboards. Young ‘uns might detect an EDM influence at play here, while us old bastards are more likely to be reminded of Krautrock. This is most apparent in that jaunty howl of indignation at communication overload, No Peace, but the introduction to oldie Hometown Blues also gets a radical makeover, rendering it almost unrecognisable.
is needed now More than ever
The irresistibly bouncy Autograph remains a highlight, but new songs Sun Rays and shimmering epic Into Eternity are just as well received, and justly so. The permanent installation of a third Magill brother, Josh, on drums – joining bassist Joel and guitarist/singer Liam – has also kicked things up a level, as he proves a much more muscular player than his predecessor. Hell, they’ve also undergone a mild sartorial readjustment. Previously styled by Dragged Through a Hedge Backwards of Glastonbury, Liam in particular now cuts a positively dapper dash and even appears to have pulled a comb through his hair.
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