Boris & Joe Volk - The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds - 8th December 2012 (Live Review)
Friday, 14 December 2012
Written by Ben Bland
Their recent split record may have proved that Boris and Joe Volk can stand toe to toe at the forefront of contemporary atmospheric psychedelia, but the placing of contrasting musical styles next to each other on the live circuit can still create problems for many an artist and fan. The juxtaposition between differing approaches to live performance can create quandaries in which it is difficult to judge a show, but bizarrely in this case the opposite seems to be the case.
Joe Volk makes for an uncomfortably easy introduction to the night’s proceedings. His crowd may be almost exclusively seated around the room, and he may only have an electric guitar, his voice and some pedals to work magic with, but somehow the ex-Crippled Black Phoenix frontman creates a distinct atmosphere whilst on stage. Partly this is because of his music, electric folk that always takes the less obvious path to its final destination rather than the one most would expect, but partly it is because of Volk’s demeanour. He looks, and in fact sings, rather like someone completely impassionate about his music, but then a sudden bite will exude from the pronunciation of a single vowel sound, or from a sudden glare he may shoot at the direction of an audience member. Really Volk cares deeply, he feels what he plays, and thus his languid performance style takes on a distinctly different, almost imposing, air.
Boris will always be the complete opposite. Bludgeoning walls of guitar that seem capable of lifting the entire audience to another higher plain of existence, vocals that are largely inaudible, a drummer that seems to think he is moonlighting in a reformed Led Zeppelin, and enough pedals to send many a post-rock band to the local lunatic asylum. Their subtleties reside in their seeming desire to be as unsubtle as possible, and the fact that their veering from hazy dream pop to stoner rock bombast seems like the most natural thing in the world speaks volumes for the depth, and indeed, breadth, of their catalogue. A set drawn from various points in their career, featuring drones and solos in equal measure, Boris provide a portrait of their tireless sound progression. In the end, the effect is almost comforting. It’s loud as hell and it is far more ‘rock’ than pretty much every metal band on the face of the earth.
In contrast to Volk’s earlier set, Boris effectively provide the fluffy side of the night. Who knew that four crazy Japanese musicians with more amp cabs than limbs could appear cuddlier than the solo singer-songwriter? Mental...
'Split Release' is out now via Invada. Check out Stereoboard's review here.
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Joe Volk makes for an uncomfortably easy introduction to the night’s proceedings. His crowd may be almost exclusively seated around the room, and he may only have an electric guitar, his voice and some pedals to work magic with, but somehow the ex-Crippled Black Phoenix frontman creates a distinct atmosphere whilst on stage. Partly this is because of his music, electric folk that always takes the less obvious path to its final destination rather than the one most would expect, but partly it is because of Volk’s demeanour. He looks, and in fact sings, rather like someone completely impassionate about his music, but then a sudden bite will exude from the pronunciation of a single vowel sound, or from a sudden glare he may shoot at the direction of an audience member. Really Volk cares deeply, he feels what he plays, and thus his languid performance style takes on a distinctly different, almost imposing, air.
