I
don’t know why I am so surprised by the volume of people squashed into the
Riverside for the Mark Lanegan gig on a damp Wednesday night. The support act
is folksy-blues banjo welding Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss who offer an eccentric and lively warm up to the evening. I spend
a good 20 minutes trying to find a suitable view and wind up next to the throbbing
speakers. I had better not get another beer in case I lose
this prime location, not that I’d want to move, as soon as Lanegan begins in
that infamous sultry voice I am fixed to the spot.
Lanegan’s career spans generations
and this really shows in the range of people and ages at the gig – fans from
the Screaming Trees era right up to the more recent albums with Isobel Campbell from Belle and Sebastian. Lanegan shows that he is a true professional and someone who knows his audience as he provides a
diverse range of songs, even as far back as ‘Dead On You’ from the 1994 album
‘Whiskey for the Holy Ghost’. But then the man hailing from Washington state
does have a more than impressive back catalogue to choose from.
Lanegan’s
newest album offering ‘Phantom Radio’ will certainly draw in a fresh audience
as he continues on from 2012 release ‘Blues Funeral’ to experiment with synth
and electro noises. Apparently even established ‘old school’ artists are moving
forward into a brave new world of technology. It might be fair to describe
Lanegan’s new (ish) unswerving direction as disturbed disco as he delivers “I
feel your hands around my throat” from ‘The Killing Season’ in his arid voice
which is backed with a resonating dance-like spangled beat. And therein lies
his old and new self, both battling to be heard. It’s a marmite situation for
Lanegan fans.
For
me, his music represents the darkness and vulnerability that lies within. Perhaps
through ‘Phantom Radio’ he is trying to break free from his former self and is now
in the clutches of a past-present clash. However, the Grunge legend manages to
keep the spiritual heart in his song, writing with lyrics which are still as
deep, tormented and insightful as ever.
The
gig ends with a favourite of mine; the gospel inspired ‘Revival’ which was
recorded with the Soulsavers, followed by two songs from the new album. I left
the gig with inner warmth – I’m sure most fans could feel a certain connection with
Lanegan who danced awkwardly on stage while maintaining a certain bashful yet
assured presence. For me, Mark Lanegan’s music conjures up melancholy heartbreak
and when he delivers lines such as “Hard times, walking in the sunshine” and
“You don’t love me, what’s to love anyway?” I realise how much his voice truly
embodies his soul and his words.
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| Mark Lanegan Band - Phantom Radio |
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