Aberfeldy - Live In Manchester
[Manchester Academy]

“Wow, this is good. Is this Paolo Nutini (the band were supporting him that night), is he on??”

These were either the utterances of a besotted fan blinded by the lure of the swooning young Paisley born headliner, or a backhanded compliment to the quirky pop craftsmanship and versatility of the Riley Briggs fronted, Edinburgh quintet of Aberfeldy. Who are making their way through the apt, The Mamas & The Papas meets The Beach Boys opener Summers Gone.

The rustic, organ sound rubs against the coated folk gloss of Briggs’ warming vocals, bringing contrast and depth to the fore. Another offering from their 2004 debut album ‘Young Forever’, featuring slower, higher pitched singing displayed via Vegetarian Restaurant, ensures for a wistful and warm commencement. This album is one of the mysteries of 2004, never really receiving the attention it deserved, yet it has indubitably helped them earn some dates with Beautiful South and this current tour.

A backward peering set shows a laudable determination to remind people that just because something happened two years ago, it doesn’t mean that it is not captivating and worthy of attention. The reception and reaction received from a healthy gathering confirms this point.

A more streamlined pop/Americana approach concealed in tracks from ‘Do Whatever Turns You On’, their second album, is illuminated in the slightly aching romance tackling ‘Hypnotised’. Displaying their tingling range and warming backing touch of Ruth Barrie to perfection. Also, the playful lash-out at retro mongers in the form of ‘1970s’, shows that their tunefulness is still growing.

Riley’s sharp humour is sparser than usual tonight, but it still helps to make that connection and show their all-round endearing nature. The lexicon of amour that is ‘Love Is An Arrow’, represents Aberfeldy’s biggest success so far and starts to melt hearts with its warm delivery and melting vocal range.

However, it is the set closer Heliopolis By Night that provides the lasting memory. Even though this quirky tale of Alien/God/Sun abduction has been toned down in the profile of the instrumentals, it still strikes an adventurous chord with onlookers.

Tonight, this quintet shows a mainstream crowd that there is an alternative to The Magic Numbers.