Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The Dovedale Social was quiet in comparison to previous weeks; however Basement Tapes were in no mood to let this dampen their evening.

The band came out firing on all cylinders with Hotel Room, a stripped down, three chord riot; the type that wouldn’t have been out of place in one of CBGB’s infamous Sunday matinees. Second track, What Happened, offered no let up in the frantic pace.

Basement Tapes are not all aggression however, as demonstrated by both Holes and Missiles, which come mid-way through their relatively short set. Both see the band take on a much more melodic side, really emphasising guitarist Karl’s playing. Missiles in particular demonstrates the band’s playing ability as timings change through and as Matthew, the lead  vocalist, took on an almost Lou Reed like quality; a man who has clearly had a sizeable influence on the band.

The band’s diversity is exemplified most clearly by the newest addition to their set, a song which is so recent they have yet to give it a title. Whereas the likes of Hotel Room and Missiles demonstrate the band’s obvious garage influences, this new track sees Matthew almost rapping in parts; the frantic energy of the set’s openers replaced by a heavily bass driven, funky element.

This energy doesn’t disappear for long, however, and second to last Bright Lights sees the whirring guitar lead sound which you would expect from a band of their ilk. Set closer and forthcoming debut single Not There is the stand out track of the night. It packs all the punch of What Happened, yet retains the intricate guitar licks of Missiles, something which culminates in a track which wouldn’t have been out of place on The Strokes’ debut record.

The night had been opened by Dovedale regular Ed Poole. The acoustic singer-songwriter provided a gentle, relaxed start to the evening, something which was different but entirely suitable for an early-summers evening on Penny Lane. Testament to what the organisers of the Dovedale Social are trying to achieve.

However, as the small yet encapsulated crowd turned back to the bar for another bottle of obscure imported lager, it was to be Basement Tapes’ Not There which proved to be the stand out track of the evening.

Will McIntosh