REVIEW: Louis XIV, Hot Hot Heat, the Editors

ST. PETERSBURG — Go figure: The best and bawdiest in British rock these days is actually swaggering out of...San Diego?

On a bloody brilliant triple bill at Jannus Landing Wednesday, three hip, cocksure bands gave a tutorial in the myriad shades of UK cool — even though only one actually resides across the pond.

Louis XIV, Hot Hot Heat, the Editors. If you haven’t heard of these guys — and they’re all very much guys, albeit different shades of skirt-chasing dude — you soon will. They draw inspiration from their Anglo elders (Bowie, Morrissey, Jagger), but cater to modern demands of style and salesmanship.

The best of the lot (if not the cleanest, tightest) were the openers, SoCal’s Louis XIV, whose swarthy come-ons and below-the-belt boasts repel as many fans as seduce them. (These guys should never play earlier than midnight; at Jannus, their royal rumble commenced at an awkward 7:50 p.m.) Their schtick is pretending to be ’70s-stuck British glam idols. But let it be known that they’re far too smart to let a gimmick get in the way of greatness.

Led by singer Jason Hill, who goes about his snug-trousered work like a rogue who can’t wait to steal your girlfriend, Louis mixed Stonesian blues (the immoral high of Guilt by Association) with Queenly beauty (the download-this Air Traffic Control). They also had not one, but two violinists onstage, so that tells you something, too.

Touring in support of upcoming album Slick Dogs and Ponies (which you MUST buy), Louis XIV was at times frustratingly sloppy, a far cry from the well-orchestrated mayhem of their albums. But reckless abandon is no doubt part of the point. And when they finally reached the struttery heights of Finding Out True Love Is Blind, there was no doubt these guys are one of the best new groups around.

Canadian quartet Hot Hot Heat is much like the dorky kid who finally has his first beer (or six) and hits the dance floor. They indulge in a rather winning mix of nerdliness and sloppy sincerity. Frontman Steve Bays, who either looks like Bob Dylan or Leo Sayer, plays cheeseball synth with one hand, grips his mike in the other. He’s a bounding, tireless entertainer, as in love with ’80s British postpunk as ginormous rock anthems.

In fact, everything you need to know about Hot Hot Heat can be heard in unrestrained new gem Let Me In (from latest album Happiness, Ltd.), an arena-sized monster that soars as high as anything U2 has chimed in years.

Birmingham, England’s Editors have a reputation as a must-see live band. That’s good, because their albums are often dour and impenetrable, the best of the Cure without the warmth.

But indeed, led by singer Tom Smith, who reminds me of the Tin Man after he gets a heart, the night’s final act was relatively jaunty and precision-perfect in delivering Gothy odes to alienation and disenchantment. They’ll no doubt appeal to sad-sacks in love with the Smiths — and Radiohead fans who still long for The Bends.

Comments

[DG]

How does Louis XIV's new stuff sound in comparison to their first album?

I remember that line from "Paper Doll": "If you want good clean fun, go fly a kite." Great stuff.

[Marissa]

I bought a couple of Louis XIV tunes when you first mentioned them on your blog. Of course I bought something you recommended. Sheesh!
Anyway, "Finding out true love is blind" and "Your shoes are the star of the show" are frequently playing these days.
I wish I could have seen the show. Naturally, I would have probably needed earplugs and Advil, but I would have done my darnedest to keep up with the kids lol

[Sue]

Wish I could have dragged these old bones out to see the show, but alas....

The entire Hot Hot Heat CD Happiness, Ltd. is awesome! Takes me back to my heyday in the 80s, but keeps me grounded in today's new music. I'm loving the 80s sounding bands of the 2000s.

[Marissa]

Sue! You are so right. I was trying to figure out how my 42 year old ears could be seriously enjoying these bands. Now I realize that they are taking me back to my youthful teen years.

[DG]

Sean, your review for this show is being linked on Pollstar, under "News & Views." Congrats.

[Sue]

My ears are about 1 1/2 years older than yours Marissa but...exactly! We early 40 somethings can still be cool and listen to current music by artists the teens and 20 somethings are listening to.

I have a game I play with my music-crazy 14 and 17 yr old nieces called -- "old" or "new". I have XM radio and am hearing a lot of new bands they don't hear on the "alternative" station here in not so alternative Tampa, so sometimes they would have no idea who the band is. I ask them to guess if it is an old song from the 80s/90s or a new one. You wouldn't believe how many times they think an 80s song is new and they are really really into the new music.

For some reason I feel cool hip and trendy because of this :)

It would be quite a shame though if the "big hair" of the 80s made a comeback.

Sue

[Marissa]

lol Sue!
I think Al Gore would have a lot to say about 'big hair' and the effect it had on the Ozone Layer.

[Susan]

The new Louis XIV stuff is just as good - if not better - than their debut 'The Best Little Secrets Are Kept', and their live show rarely disappoints. Great review!