What Are You Listening To?

[Tiggi]

Live acoustic album from Goth-Folk rockers recorded in 2000.

Took me a while to get into this band. Didn't like their early albums as I thought they were a little lyrically whimsical. Saw them live for the first time supporting The Cure at Crystal Palace in 1991, and they blew me away. I now think their debut is a 24 carat classic.

I have mixed views on these unplugged efforts. It's admirable that artists are prepared to play with minimal instrumentation without hiding behind volume, and pared down performances can provide an intimacy that's well worth the experience. There's also a different perspective to be had when songs are stripped down.

On the other hand, songs that were previously glorious technicolour extravaganzas can sound a bit flat and one-dimensional.

This one's pretty good, and proves what a fine voice Julianne Regan has.

Volume 2 tomorrow...