Alvvays
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER –
“Just in case there is any confusion, it’s pronounced ‘Always!’” laughs singer Molly Rankin, offering the same clarity everyone who has ever written about the band is obliged to cover.
With their kitschy name and capacity to count Real Estate and Pains of Being Pure at Heart as past touring buddies, it’s little wonder the Toronto five-piece find themselves sugar-rushing their way round the UK, offering up sun kissed shimmering pop to a seemingly ready-made fan base.
I find it curious when a band is touring a debut album and elects not to start with the first track. During the recording process it was decided this was the opener, an introduction of what is to come and yet live, the honour is placed elsewhere. Alvvays attempt this trade off tonight, opting for ‘The Agency Group’, a fine enough homage to Phil Spector, which sadly falls a little flat, thus failing to cash-in on the palpable excitement in the crowd. This is sharply rectified however, and The Deaf Institute comes come alive when they rip into ‘Adult Division’, their record’s marvellous opener. This is thankfully an isolated misstep; the remainder of the gig is paced perfectly.
There are plenty of gems on show; ‘Atop a Cake’ is pure Scottish indie-pop in the spirit of Camera Obscura and Teenage Fanclub, ‘Party Police’ abandons the c86 jingle-jangle in favour of aching balladry which accentuates Rankin’s yearning vocal, while ‘Next of Kin’ showcases Rankin’s skill for juxtaposing a gorgeous melody with a moribund theme, with the particularly Wedding Present-esque refrain of “If I had known you couldn’t swim/we would never have gone in”.
The show is padded out with a few rarities including new material, covers and b-sides. All are a worthy addition to a gig which would be tragically short if they were to rely solely on their 32 minute debut. Between songs Rankin is chatty, professing amongst other things a love of Noel Gallagher in her cutesy Canadian accent.
Drenched in reverb and catchier than the common cold, ‘Archie Marry Me’ was one of the musical highlights of 2014. Here it soars majestically, telling the tale of young love tempered by being old before your time. In Alvvays company there is always so much to be hopeful about – you really have to wonder why he’s dragging his feet.
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