Cold Cave at Madame Jojo's

Cold Cave at Madame Jojo's

04 November, 2009
by: Gina Louise

When Phil Oakey departed the music scene he left some big 80s boots to fill. Okay, so I know he's still about, but I'm going to pretend that the last disaster of a tour didn’t happen and he left way back when the lop-sided hair cut was still going strong. Anyway, the point is, whilst denim jackets and hair crimpers should be left in the 80s, synth pop definitely shouldn’t.

Though there is no shortage of electro about today, it seems that in an effort to jump off the band wagon and fight for something original, we have lost sight of our synth roots. Yet US indie act Cold Cave have managed to hark back to the golden days of pop, when all you needed was a synthesizer and a some shoulder pads to produce some great music.

If you have ever found yourself thinking 'man, there just wasn't enough synth pop in the '80s', then Cold Cave is the band for you. An immense mix of Robert Smith vocals, John Fox-esque sporadic shouting and some classic New Order synths, they epitomize the '80s electro movement, without sounding too much like a tribute band you’d hire for your wedding.

They start their set at Madame Jojo's with their pop classic 'Life Magazine', and Caralee delivers her naïve vocals with a childish enthusiasm that is endearing. Heavy on the loop pedal, she barely utters a few words but manages to fill the song with her echoing voice. Whilst I occasionally found myself thinking that a few of their songs would benefit from losing a few of the lyrics, I gradually came round to loving the loop.

Their songs are awry with simple synthy beats and overpowering vocals, and aren't overly pretentious. It's like these guys just like making simple music that speaks for itself, acknowledging their influences and indulging in them rather than pretending to be something unique.

Whilst most people have tarred them with the Joy Division brush, there is nothing, bar the ruffled schoolboy haircut and Eisold’s buttoned-up-to-the-top jacket, really Joy Division about them. In fact, Cold Cave are more like Joy Division without Ian Curtis, sort of like a New Order tribute band, and a mighty fine one at that.

Now you could say I'm not a fan of modern pop. So, considering that Cold Cave are intrinsically poppy, I should by all rights hate them for their chunky beats and radio friendly dispositions. Yet when pop masquerades itself as coming straight out of some bleak 80s futurescape I suppose its okay. Once again those guys down at White Heat have picked a winner.

White Heat is at Madame Jojo's every Tuesday and rarely disappoints.

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Gina Louise