A gig with a difference!

Critic/ I Pheonix

4th of July Party,

Whelan’s

Angela Macari O’Looney

Progressive Rock band Critic have been hibernating for a time, while preparing their new repertoire. After a break up, they have reformed from the ashes of Anatomy and are now bigger and better than ever, with the addition of a new drummer The Stig.

A weird but wonderful concoction of grunge, distortion laden guitars and thumping drums behind lead singer Gary’s unique portrayal of each number, is what awaits the listener. If you like sounds such as Katatonia, Isis, Pink Floyd and Tool, you’ll love this band!

On hearing they were putting on a 4th of July party with I Pheonix, another of my favourite bands also on the bill, I decided to pop down and take a peek at their live gig.

When I got there, the party was in full swing, with I Pheonix performing songs from their recently released album Cause and Effect.

I Pheonix

Conor Wilkins- Vocals/ Guitars, Kevin Brew- Bass and Donal Fleming- Drums are the members of I Pheonix. I first heard them in this very venue almost two years ago, when they were just starting out. They seem to have come a long way since then.

Imaginative melody lines, memorable lead guitar throughout each number and Conor’s distinctive vocals give this band an edge that I like. Influences include Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins, Biffy Clyro, Muse, Deftones and Future Kings of Spain.

They performed Amnesia, Lights, Arcadia, Fade and erase, Polaris, Static, Night Sparks and Friction is a killer.

My favourite of these songs is Night Sparks because of the catchy lead riff that continues throughout it. There’s a lovely combination of old meets new in their style, with haunting choruses accompanied by explosive drums.

Newer numbers such as Fade and erase and Friction is a Killer have a similar impact to that of their older material. Exciting chord riffs and programming, plus that knack of well placed key changes are the extras that make I Pheonix stand out for me. It was an added bonus that they were playing support to Critic on this celebratory night.


Critic

Before the stars of the show came on, a guy dressed up as Uncle Sam made a speech and then suddenly threw his stars and stripes top hat up in the air, gradually throwing off the remainder of his costume. He was clothed, so not too much of a shock there!

However, when a makeshift black curtain was removed from the stage, Critic appeared with lead singer Gary Ward standing at a pulpit, dressed from head to toe literally in Black. Black face and hands and all!

It was a statement to do with oil, combined with a joke at politicians thrown in. If drama and impact is what he was going for, it worked!

Members of Critic are Gary Ward – Vocals, Al-Guitars, Vinnie O’Connell- Bass and The Stig- Drums/Percussion.

With the use of recordings of newscasts surrounding U.S. politics and controversy and a few bars of the American national anthem, the band opened the show with loads of throbbing distortion before taking it into a fantastic number called Cold Crime.

A riveting baseline and slow but choppy beat define the intro of this song, continuing this seductive riff throughout.
Machine gun style chords break it up and with the perfect backdrop provided by the drummer, things build up very gradually.
Gary’s voice goes from cool and soulful to raging grunge grittiness within seconds. An occasional cat squeal type sound effect is achieved during the last chorus, causing a startling sense of alarm. A slowdown, where the guitar is just trickling away gives you a moment of respite between the blasts of thundering drum and metal. But not for long!

Next up was one of my favourites from Critic; Unfamiliar. Sabbathesque guitars, a sly key change for the chorus that lends to the melody and Gary’s total conviction in every single line, make this an amazing number to witness live.
This interesting band take alternative rock to a totally new level and The Stig really gets to shine in the latter half of this lengthy but intriguing song.

Rein begins slowly, with an interesting beat that changes as the song progresses.
Gary is such a contrast to the conservative black suit, shirt and tie once he opens his mouth to sing and I found him a real showman. Al uses a strange kind of distortion effect during this number, with the melody line styled to give the impression of desperation through stark minor chords and bashing drums. The last verse is sung with just a guitar and vocals in a hymn like way. The Stig uses his magical percussive powers to add to the poignant finish.
With a haunting melody in the verse and a vibrant chorus, Cogito ergo Sum was next. Involving superb bass and chord combinations, this is a fab arrangement. You have the rhythmic calm before the hair raising onslaught of chorus, as in most of this act’s stuff, but it’s so ingeniously performed that you find you can’t move from the spot even to get a drink.

An excellent lead intro takes you into Another Racing Loss. A rhythmic baseline joins in and the dynamics build up. Gary’s vocals are laid back for the verse. Bass and lead are melodic and appealing and I like the momentary escape from grunge.
The Chorus is much more exciting though, as each line becomes more fired up. I love the solid beat in this number too.

Dyswaria has a hammering tempo, a memorable intro and a big chord riff taking you into the chorus. Guitars and drums pull out all the stops here, Gary maintaining his cool as he pours out lyrics. But it’s not long before he lets loose again, screaming out the raging chorus with a fire in his belly!

They did this lovely prelude before their second last song Five.
Staccato notes on guitar and a moody, staccato verse sung in Gary’s haunting mode, make this number stark and spine tingling. Lead guitar is superb, particularly the riff in the chorus. I love it!
Drum rolls, choppy alternating beats and paradiddles define The Stig as the heartbeat of Critic, as is the case for all songs. Both guitar and bass perform fantastic in sync riffs and hooks throughout. Creepy chords are charged with distortion and are magical, lead guitar bits astounding!

The last but not the least of Critic’s set was The Last Intent.
With an elaborate lead intro, this song builds up gradually, drums and bass joining just before Gary’s verse. Not for the fainthearted, it involved impressive vocals and more distortion packed guitar. When it came to the final big resounding chord, Al placed his guitar beside his amp, allowing the big explosion of feedback to do its work on the eardrums of his audience. What a fearsome foursome!
Blazing a trail for the true lovers of alternative rock at it’s finest, never losing sight of their need to blast out gut busting lead riffs and explosive vocals, Critic are back!