JJ72 - London Kentish Town Forum - 25/10/02
4/5
By: Andy Willson
After a good two years away, it soon becomes apparent just what Irish rockers JJ72 have been up to with their time in the wilderness; singer and guitarist Mark Greaney has grown his hair, drummer Fergal Matthews has been working out, and bassist Hilary Wood has just got even more hopelessly attractive. Collectively, though, the trio have re-sprouted their stage-presence - insolently ready and waiting to take on any newcomers, as well as confirm their place at the top of the pile of screech-rock.
Tonight, the band's second packed-out show at Kentish Town's grand Forum, kicks off with a polished version of former-glory, 'October Swimmer', and - reassuringly - Mark's voice, as distinctive as ever, can just be heard above the roaring crowd. From our position 31-foot back from the stage (the court-order states that we can no longer be within 30-foot of Hilary any more), none of the riveting bombast exerted as they cruise into second gear and play tracks from their latest offering, 'I to Sky', is lost. Of the material, the distinctive JJ72 sound remains intact, just only slightly more refined, more focussed, if you will - the James Iha guitars of 'I Saw A Prayer' and dirty-pop of 'Always & Forever' both immediately impacting.
Inevitably, the climax of the soiree is three of their hits played one after the other in true, good-time, panto-stylee, with a watered-down version of 'Snow' nestling alongside the huge shudder of 'Formulae' and shivering 'Oxygen'. Just to lessen the intensity and prove that they have the Irish humour in-hand also, a cover of Chris Issacs' 'Wicked Game' is released in the encore - one which is strikingly stronger than the dreamy original.
And to compare these characters nowadays to days gone past... Well, there actually was a time when JJ72 had to smash guitars to grab people's attention. Welcomingly, however, this rebellious (and expensive) streak has been replaced by an upright, rigid maturity in the live-arena, and whilst their sound is never likely to inspire a world-revolution, at least based on tonight's events, and for those that are still willing to listen, JJ72 shall continue to serve as the type of act that yo-yo between your Top-10 and 20 bands... If only Hilary would talk to us once more, then they'd without doubt be our new No.1's for starters...
Artists in this article: JJ72
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