The Departure - Manchester Academy 3 - 5.4.05

The Departure's story has been one that has embraced and alienated the critics. Frontman David Jones grew up in what he vaguely describes as a "Christian community", hardly listened to any contemporary music and then 6 months after forming the band they signed a deal with Parlophone. Everything seemed perfect from the haircuts to the best rhythm section since the funk brothers, but in the last couple of weeks mysterious forces have been in place. An ill-advised support slot with Feeder led to a critical mauling and tonight the sound man seems to have gone on a sabbatical for the first few songs of tonight's set. Could the all too perfect band crumbled under the heavy weight of expectation? "Be My Enemy" and "Talk Show" sounded a mess as if post-rock noiseniks Mogwai had sabotaged the party, but "Just Like TV", with it's spacey sub of the Orb and the atmospherics of the Chameleons, they've lost all the comparisons with the likes of the Killers and The Bravery.

The band rely on their inner strength and deliver a much more interesting proposition than a few short months ago. The pop edges have been sawn off and a darker side is unleashed as they deliver an epic set of Death Disco and Funeral Funk. Jones has a commanding presence over the band and despite being a static lone figure as rest of the band shake, shimmy and slide across the stage like cyborg Durannies, you get the sense that this Machiavellian character could click his fingers as any time and they'd crumble to dust on the floor leaving little but a microchip. Each hit hat rush or funked up bass line preludes a series of songs that tower above the bands they've been compared to. "Only Human" matches the intensity of Joy Division with a pop sensibility, "All Mapped Out" revels with it's new found status as a rock behemoth, "Lump In My Throat" stops, starts and stutters in the most anti-dance disco frenzy you can imagine. Ending on "Dirty Words", an early B-Side and title of their forthcoming debut album, they prove yet again why they're a force to be reckoned with. It can only be a matter of time before the critics are eating their words when the debut album is released next month.

Alex McCann

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The Departure / Alterkicks - Manchester Academy 3 - 5.4.05

The key to the captivating nature of devilishly tuneful quintet; Alterkicks was the powerful and commanding voice of Martin Stilwell that pivots between the provocative powerfulness of Johnny Borrel and the soaring nature of Matt Bellamy. 'The Diner' saw Stilwell earnestly wet appetites for the palatable indie rock and roll proffered by these five accomplished Liverpool based musicians, but showing that not everyone in that city sits around listening to The Zutons. The deviously dark titled 'The Cannibal Hiking Disaster' was a well received friendly warning about a particular outdoor pursuit, delivered via ingratiatingly rambling vocals. Debut single 'Do Everything I Taught You', an ode to not having a clue about what you want do struck a chord with some of the bemused students gathered and was the high point of a bubbly set.

The scattered crowd soon grew to close knit realms, as the expectant fans or curious rockers streamed through the door to get settled in their spot ready for the highly exciting electro-rock outfit and new romantic style quintet The Departure. Following in the footsteps of sound-mates The Killers or The Bravery, or for the older and more nostalgic fans, The Smiths or The Human League, the band wowed the intimate Academy 3 venue with strong electro-keyboard sounds, new romantic style vocals, and heartfelt sentiment.

Memorable release "Be My Enemy" set off the buzz with it's rasping guitars and downright raw and catchy chorus instantly striking a chord with the awe inspired crowd. Fellow single from the Northampton band, "All Mapped Out," mirrored the bands passionate opener, also oozing personal feeling and instrumental parts to send electric shocks around each and every crowd member. The feeling instilled into the meaningful "Only Human," and romantic "Arms Around Me" roused the audience, proving the band are not just about making eighties tinged music, but expressing deep feelings, infiltrating a crowd with excitement, and for those that experienced the eighties, nostalgia, without the need for legwarmers.

The rousing "Dirty Words" rounded off a night of nostalgia, dark sounds, intimate songs, and a performance full of passion and confidence, and the band certainly proved they could do variety.

Katherine Tomlinson and David Adair

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The Departure - Photo Gallery

As well as 2 full reviews of the Departure's mindblowing show in Manchester, what more could you ask for than a Karen McBride photogallery.

Photos: Karen McBride www.karenmcbride.com