Little Joy - Audio, Brighton - 15/1/09
4/5
By: Keri Kennedy
It's cold outside on Brighton seafront but Little Joy, the latest in a string of Strokes side projects, have managed to bring a tropical beach vibe to the first UK show on their - as vocalist Binki Shapiro puts it - 'world tour'.
Fabrizio Moretti's project, consisting of girlfriend Shapiro on vocals/organ and guitarist/vocalist Rodrigo Amarante of Brazilian band Los Hermanos have a few extra members tonight in the shape of support band Dead Trees' bassist and guitarist. Dead Trees incidentally, couldn't sound more like Pavement if Malkmus himself joined them on stage. Little Joy's sound is the result of tight Stroke's influenced riffs ('Keep Me In Mind'), Devendra Banhart-esque tropicalia ('No One's Better Sake') and sweeping melodic choruses that emit a warm glow ('The Next Time Around').
A happier band couldn't exist. Moretti is all smiles - and smoking a sly cigarette - while Amarante playfully pokes his band mates with his guitar. They even cover the jaunty 60's hit 'Walking Back To Happiness', by Shapiro's namesake Helen. It's pretty cheesy, but Shapiro's velvety voice with Amarante and Moretti's 'ooh ah oh yeah's' force a smile and toe-tap upon even the most serious of chin-strokers.
Little Joy sees a more chilled out Moretti, maybe the result of hanging out on the west coast without the creative restrictions and expectations of being a member of The Strokes. The trademark guitar sound of his main employers is evident, however fused with the many influences he and his bandmates bring, the result is very sweet indeed.
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