The Mystery Jets - Live In Manchester
[Jabez Clegg]

Famed for their stage invasions, energetic performances and downright unusual behaviour, tonight, on the eve of their debut album release it seems Eel Pie Island five piece The Mystery Jets are behaving themselves.

Until, that is, the set gets into full swing, and the eclectic gentlemen mark their return to Manchester following a slot in the hugely successful NME tour, with an ample amount of climbing, sweating and bashing of dustbin lids.

The set kicks off with the indulgent and infectious chant 'Zootime', closely followed by the sombre but vigorous You Can't Fool Me Dennis. Transvestite ballad 'Alas Agnes' and recent single 'The Boy Who Ran Away' open up the crowd while album tracks such as 'Little Bags Of Hair'and 'Purple Prose' only gain vivacity in live performance.

Blaine Harrison's cutting vocals alongside some loaded lyrics and uncomplicated guitar riffs hint at nostalgic boyhood yearnings and contribute to a thoroughly focussed and unforgettable performance.

Within the past year, The Mystery Jets have worked with no small amount of success to make their unusual presence felt on a fiercely critical music scene. As their live performances prove, they're successfully battling to shrug off the hastily applied prog-rock label and be appreciated for their originality and vivacious energy.

With their debut album being embraced by critics as a ground breaking and much needed fresh approach, 2006 is set to be the year of the Mystery Jets.