The Young Knives - Live In Liverpool
[Manchester Academy 2]

Not long after the bluesy intro to opener ‘Part Timer’, (that also opens their recent album ‘Voices of Animals and Men’) The Young Knives trio, strikes you as a beefed up version The Futureheads.

A pouncing, repeated chorus shakes up a packed venue and lead singer Henry Dartnall flanked by bassist, House Of Lords (aka Thomas Dartnall) get into their snapping stride. B-sides pad out the album tracks and display a more experiment side to the outfit, as ‘Guess The Baby’s Weight’ draws out a lighter guitar and bass edge.

The cock and strut of ‘Here Comes The Rumour Mill’ is well appreciated in the steaming pit. Whereas, the punk spiked ‘Kramer Versus Kramer’ is probably the thrust that this set needs, as it is starting to take a languid turn.

The Young Knives do enough to keep the attention throughout, but you just wonder if an occasional keyboard element will help to keep the sound fresh, as they do steer a careful and well trodden, indie/garage path at times.