REVIEW: TOPLOADER AT BRISTOL FLEECE (21/01/12)
The Fleece hums and fizz’s with anticipation and a strange vibe to the room mainly due to the fact that the audience is a strange mix, hardcore followers crowding at the front , somewhat older in age, with a boisterous gathering of a younger generation, provided by the moderately younger in age, support acts.
The Eastbourne quartet largely thought of as a one hit wonder Toploader showcase much of their latest offering Only Human, released the summer of 2011, with Underdogs Music, surprisingly only their third release since forming in 1997. Hardly prolific. Though out to prove they do not belong in the bargain bin at your local service station Toploader play a well accomplished set brimming wit professionalism and clearly a band comfortable within their own skin.
The songs are catchy free flowing and full of all good feeling and vibes. newer songs like Cloud 9 or Numb blend seamlessly with largely forgotten chart single Achilles Heel .The foursome clearly loving every minute of this before escaping for the usual and inevitable encore stood in the corner of The Fleece like a group of naughty school boys who rather embarrassingly can’t seem to find the door to disappear and give the encore it’s fully desired effect.
The predictable encore is of course Toploader’s rendition of ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’. That ignites the crowd and gets everybody dancing, however I doubt with the age range of half the venue tonight there is any awareness that this hit was originally released in 1973 by King Harvest. And is more likely to conjure images more often seen sandwiched between episodes of Coronation Street, a Sainsbury’s advert, inextricably linked with flabber tongued Jamie Oliver. Joseph, lead singer, keys and occasional guitar, rates the audiences rendition a 9 or even a 10, mentioning that he’s seen some 4’s and 5’s in his time.
With the boys evoking a carefree spirit, cheery in nature it could be said unfortunately matched with somewhat generic sound, however with their enthusiasm they excel with their performance. They prove to anyone watching they get a real kick out of playing live. One hit wonder? Maybe. Poor band? Never.
Words and photo: Laura Palmer
