| If asked to describe the Coral's show at the Liquid Room in three words or less, the above answer would subsequently fly from my mouth. Knowing little about the young sextet before heading to Shinjuku, I was quickly blown away by the amount of talent that filled the venue's small stage. Combining several styles of music to create something that is truly unique, I can easily say that on Monday night The Coral played some of the most original music I've heard in a long time. At 7:20 pm the house lights dimmed and the theme music from Indiana Jones began to play. Walking out single file, all six members of the Holylake, Liverpool, England band slowly emerged from the darkness. While everyone picked up their respective instruments, drummer Ian Skelly, the last to make his way onto the stage and relishing the opportunity to be front and center, did a pretty impressive spin move before heading behind his kit. Once seated the group instantly kicked into "Spanish Main", the lead track off of their debut self titled album. Mixing indie rock and brit pop with beautiful psychedelic sounds, the upbeat two minute track got the whole crowd moving. The band paused briefly for lead singer James Skelly to introduce the next song, Bad Man, before launching into the dirty, raw garage number. This was then followed by a track that sounded almost like an old country western song. |
The most fascinating thing about The Coral was their ability to mix so many styles of music together and make it work so well. Over the course of the band's 14 song set, they managed to play indie rock, brit pop, garage rock, blues, country, folk, psychedelia, punk, space rock, and a bit of metal as well. Thinking about what these kids' record collections must look like would have any red blooded music enthusiast foaming at the mouth.  |
 Out of all the genres the group touched upon, psychedelia seemed to be the most prevalent of the night providing the backbone of most of the material presented. Almost all of the band's music developed a psychedelic undertone at some point during the three minute long songs. Even the lights themselves had a psychedelic feel to them as the use of red and blue lights along with a heavy barrage of strobe lights at times made the audience feel like they had been transported back to another era. All that was missing was a lava lamp and some incense. 
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 Watching the band, it was plainly evident how much they enjoyed being with one another. Dancing around, smiling, and making inside jokes to one another during breaks between songs, it was clear that they have all been good friends for a long time. Their offstage chemistry no doubt has made them much stronger as a band. Playing perfectly off one another, their performance was extremely tight and the vocal harmonies between Skelly, bassist Paul Duffy, and guitarist Lee Southall were fantastic. With so much positive energy being presented, it made it impossible for those in attendance not to get swept up by what was unfolding in front of them. They did their best to show their appreciation to The Coral by dancing around wildly and cheering at every chance they got.  |
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-->Part2 report by shawn and photo by maki |
 mag files : The Coral Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : (03/04/20 @ Shinjuku Liquidroom) : review by shawn, photo by makiTrue Seafarers: Vast, Vibrant And Everpresent As Their Name Befits Are The Coral : (03/04/20 @ Shinjuku Liquidroom) : review by michael, photo by makiillustration report : (03/04/19 @ Nagoya Bottom Line) : illustration by chika叩けば出てくる無数の誇り : (03/04/17 @ Osaka Big Cat) : review by kuniko,photos by ikesanphoto report : (03/04/17 @ Osaka Big Cat) : photo by ikesan |
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The official site The Coral http://www.thecoral.co.uk/ The latest album :  『The Invisible Invasion』 (国内盤 / UK import /US import) |
previous works
『Pass It On (Single)』 (US import) 『Don't Think You're the First (Single)』 (国内盤 / US import) 『Skeleton Key (Single)』 (国内盤 / US import) check the albums? |
shawn's works-->2005  2004CD review : "Christmas" : Old Man Gloom (28th Dec)Music Soothes the Savage Beast
: eastern youth (20th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)And to all A Good Night : Shonen Knife (19th Dec @ Daikanyama Unit)Exciting Music for Exciting People : illreme (6th Dec @ Shibuya Club Quattro)It's In Their Hands Now : Franz Ferdinand (29th Nov @ Shibuya AX)Lights, Camera, Action : Brahman (15th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Mostly Business : The Stills (8th Nov @ Ebisu Liquidroom)Scare The Rock Right Outta Ya : Halloween Ball 2004 feat . The 5,6,7,8's, Gasoline, The Woggles (30th Oct @ Shiomkitazawa Shelter)Three More, Two More, and Take it to the Left : Hawaiian6/ Idol Punch (11th Oct @ Shinjuku Loft)Busting Eardrums : Mogwai (5th Oct @ Ebisu Liquidroom AX )Medical Breakthrough : The Most Notorious Vol. 18 feat. Melt Banana and K.K. Null (25th Sept @ Shimokitazawa Shelter )Grey Skies Are Going To Clear Up... : HUSKING BEE (5th Sept @ Shibuya AX )no title : V∞REDOMS (8th Aug @ Ebisu Liquidroom )CD review : Andre Ethier With Christopher Sandes : Andre Ethier2003Cause Music Must Be Magic : Mayor McCa (21st Dec @ The Casbah,Hamilton, Ontario )Make It a Double : EVANESCENCE (28th Jul @ Shinjuku AX)Getting Knifed in Tokyo : Shonen Knife / bloodthirsty butchers(12th Jul @ Shibuya Club Quattro)Hail Hail! Some of Japan's best come together to pay tribute to San Diego's finest : TRIBUTE TO ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT feat. John Speedo with Jet Boys, Retro Gretion, and KEMURI, (21st June '03 @ Shibuya Club Quattro)The Canucks are Coming! The Canucks are Coming! : Simple Plan & GOB (26th Apr @ Akasaka Blitz)no title : Banda Bassotti with Doberman, Oi Skall Mates & Rude Bones (12th May @ Kawasaki Club Citta)The Enchanting Sounds of Summer : KEMURI (31st May @ Shinjuku ACB Hall)Absolutely F**king Brilliant!! : The Coral (21st Apr @ Shinjuku Liquid Room)no title : Short Circuit w/ Asparagus (24th Mar @ Shibuya AX) |