The Cooper Temple Clause - London Astoria - 29/4/03
4/5
By: Andy Willson
Just what is it about The Cooper Temple Clause and their rebellious ways? The words 'easy' and 'life' could certainly never be associated with this outlandish Berkshire sextet.
After the frankly inspirational debut album 'See This Through And Leave', and the furore that followed, you'd have thought that they could have sat back and rested on their laurels, having firmly established Reading on the map. It would appear, however, that they actually enjoy going against the grain... Why go into an established studio and record your new album when you can build your own unit..? Or even, why release a single that's available to buy in the shops, when people could win them instead (as demonstrated with last release, 'A.I.M.')? And then - why oh why those rumours about the mad dressing-up days during the recording? God only knows. But these boys sure have some answering to do.
Having kept quiet for the last six months (partly by choice, partly forced) and at the second attempt, TCTC can finally present some new material to a sell-out public in the capital. The original date for this show, in January, was cancelled at short notice due to Didz's appendicitis. Yet, having fully recuperated and with a tad more rehearsing under their belts, finally - the frantic force have been set free once again.
And in typical Coopers style, they don't go for the simple option for presenting the newies - that is to say, namely the New Song, Old Song routine - but instead they crash into ricocheting 'A.I.M' and it's all systems go, a complex dosage of 'Promises Promises' unveiling gloriously that their rich, lavishing style hasn't altered too significantly. Soon ensuing a polished version of 'Who Needs Enemies', the venue is up to its knees in gloomy, dripping steaminess, accessible but pulse-racing in equal measure.
Indubitably, once again, Toni & Guy must be rubbing their hands together as each member is still sporting their own fabled, unique haircut. Singer Ben Gautrey, in traditional black military jacket, now has a royal-opening, curtain-style fringe, whilst Kieran has moved onto the '70's Kevin Keegan perm (good on yer, son) and Didz - well, we're buggered if we know, but the ladies are fawning at the front. Such crucial changes aside, you soon remember what you came here for; favourites 'Film Maker' and 'Been Training Dogs' explode like fireworks and the temperature in the Astoria reaches boiling-point (literally, the place is roasting).
With all new songs soon tried and tested amidst the mash, and welcomed like a free pint of cider, it's back to debut album-tracks... And yes, the crescendo in 'Murder Song' still almost brings us to tears, and as the raging swirl of 'Panzer Attack' slowly fades, we know that TCTC are gonna do their country proud in 2003 for yet another time.
Greater things for this lot, then. Funny really, considering that the second release for many bands has usually acted as a brick-wall stumbling-block. But, at least this lot have done it, and seemingly, like another famous Cooper once said, 'just like that'.
Artists in this article: The Cooper Temple Clause
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