ITC: Kelly's Day Two

Kelly Murray

Day two descends upon us as does the rain, the eternal issue of giant glands and the lure of the new music

Best to start with some inviting local boys then. They may be made up of a Scotsman, an Irish man and an English bloke, but My Albatross have settled in the best British city so they're already on ten points and my Christmas card list.

Repping Manchester on the ‘BBC Introducing' stage at Moho, despite some technical difficulties - ever wonder if such difficulties look more like a soap opera backstage? More CCTV in greenrooms please - the boys pull through like pros and manage to deliver a big build-up tune worthy of a Dawson's Creek cameo in the form of ‘Great Expectations'. With the floppy haired perfect-for-a-teen-heart-throb Sam Jenkins taking lead vocals, the country/rock tale of epic proportions echoes out to flood the room. Indoor shivers anyone? Brrr!

In the next room, there's an altogether different breed of feisty animal taking flight. London trio Invasion are quite the sight, then again, why expect anything less from a soul thrash band? Singer Chan has come dressed as a cross between a barefoot, tambourine-wielding monk a tiger flavoured condom. Luckily I'm not in the mood to feign a headache, drummer Zel looks like Cousin It in a bra and guitarist Marek probably shreds his strings faster than Gordon Ramsey chops onions.

Photo: Jade Danielle Martin

If Peter O'Tool was still making movies now, chances are this confusing and intriguing metal band with a female lead and a backbone made out of Wonderbra would be heading the soundtrack. If Invasion are about to reinvent what counts as heavy rock n roll with dark metal tendencies, then you better re-think your wardrobe; these invaders will take you down.

On to Deaf Institute, where, for the first time today I'm kinda wishing I was a bit hard of hearing. Canada's Clues who are playing their first ever UK show are home to two ex Arcade Fire members. But the acquaintances of yesteryear don't really wash when the new results sound like this. ‘This' being the vocal of a man who seems to be birthed from the musical climates of ‘Excuse me Sir, but what the fuck?' Part choirboy, part technophobe - the band don't have a Facebook or Myspace or website - I feel compelled to point out that voicebox Brendan Reed's heart is in the right place, his awkward child-like ‘are my balls still down there' vocals however, are definitely not.

Photo: Jade Danielle Martin

On to Frightened Rabbit to end the night then. They've not played in these parts for quite a while but brothers Scott and Grant Hutchinson are one of bonnie Scotland's most talked about sibling folk acts recently and are greeted by a rather welcome reception. Their Scotch-twang brand of indie folk is reminiscent of a British Airborne Toxic Event with yearning vocals and busy layering creating the kind of appetite that makes you want to break into their diaries and find out who the people are that star in these songs. ‘Swim Until You Can't See Land' shows juxtaposing folky warmth and lyrics penned in bitter chills. Magic stuff.