mINtSOUTH.com

Tim and Sam’s Tim and The Sam Band with Tim and Sam @ Railway Inn, 14th May 2009

Perhaps I’m just a cantankerous stubborn old git, but I get so annoyed when support bands – or any band to be fair – fail to introduce themselves. For one, I’m not Derren Brown and two, take note – you’re a support band. Support. Not yet well-known or good enough to carry the gig. Hence, at this stage in your career it might be wise to let people know who you are. If you don’t, how am I going to know who to refer to when turning my nose up at the tuneless guitar, and occasional lyrical refrain matching it in sympathy? The slight wobbles could possibly have been nerves and the result of a last-minute filling in slot, as apart from that though, the basic songs were pleasant enough. But in much the same way as a quick ‘tug’ is – something to pass the time and gets the job done, but nothing to write home about. Okay but forgetful, or at least would be if I knew who I was forgetting.

Haunting is a word that’s overused to describe fragile female singers. So I won’t use it. Damn, too late. Nervous as Bambi, and just as cute for it, Jenna Highcazony is clearly also taking her first few trembling steps in the world, but her easy blend of acoustic guitar and well crafted songs is already endearing enough to see her mature fast. “I’ve got knee shakes” is her almost relaxed admission to the nerves, and it’s as if this acceptance frees her singing and strumming and melts it away. Coming across alternately like a quarter (or third, I always lost count) of the Sugababes in fragile folk mode, or a very agreeable blend of Lily Allen-ish attitude and vocals, channelled via Laura Marling - songs like ‘Don’t you let me down’ and ‘What a shame’ certainly mesmerised and quietened down the crowd, and showcase her likeable and unfolding talent. Bookers take note.

Felix Fables start with a nice uplifting number – along the lines of the Mystery Jets/Laura Marling number – with a slight Southern States vibe. The intro to their second number threatens to derail things by sounding like an audition for an American teen comedy soundtrack, but is redeemed by a decent rootsy rhythm.

They get back on track with ‘The Stories I could Tell’ and have a happy: sad vibe about them which is enjoyable, and keeps you unsure where to place them. There is a slight hint of a ‘my lungs are bigger than yours’ power struggle between the female and male lead vocals on the shared tracks, which can detract from the core of the song. Songs are quite sweeping and majestic, but in a controlled contained way with powerful drums and chords driving a nice elemental feel. By the penultimate song I was worrying there might be too much of a similar pattern, but after the by now familiar intro, some deft layers kick in and lifts it into new territory, showing the bands variety. Over all they’re a very infectious uplifting bunch, so much so that you wonder occasionally if you’re teetering on the edge of getting sucked into a cult. But even with the odd whiff of Christian rock they stay just the right side of joyous and happy – in the same way the Fleet Foxes and Polyphonic Spree might. Would go down a treat on a hazy summer festivals evening. Top marks.

It’s at this point I have to say that Phoebe Romanovski rocks my world, for it was she who suggested I listen to these guys in the first place. Tim and Sams Tim and The Sam band featuring Tim and Sam have a witty name, but to me it suggests Indie-kid upstarts, which is way off the mark, and wonder if it might hinder their wider appeal.

Now you might think that a whole set of instrumental numbers would either sound very ‘prog rock’ or very boring. Some might say that’s the same thing anyway.

But oh, my friends – far, far from it. If the beginning of the night was the ‘forgettable tug’ then these guys are the full on tantric orgasm, followed by a Swedish massage. This is music to accompany you on your journey to heaven; the soundtrack to a Scandinavian love-in and come down; a glass of bourbon on a polar bear rug, in front of an open fire. Or to put it another way: pure beauty.

‘Stepping Stones’ manages to have the stadium style instrumentation of a Snow Patrol track, yet remain sublimely intimate and personal, whilst ‘Yellow Ham’ gives the very strange feeling of the ‘Ice Ice Baby’ riff performed by the Amish.

The next song starts off like the Bagpuss theme and throughout their set it feels so organic, like it’s growing of its own accord, floating the sounds wherever it naturally blows. Couples cuddle while loners (me) clutch things tightly and we all sway and flow as they caress us with their delicious melodies.

Somehow they manage to combine the sounds of Sigur Ros, Lemon Jelly, Super Furry Animals, Belle & Sebastian and the Beta Band into one supremely mellow mix, like musical Horse Whisperers. And they’ve got a glockenspiel, which is even more awesome.

If you fail to walk away from listening to Tim & Sam anything but happy or with a smile on your face, or in your soul…then you are a serious emotional eunuch and there is no hope for you..

http://www.myspace.com/timandsamstimandthesambandwithtimandsam