Malcolm Middleton, Absentee

Absentee was an unexpected treat. I see now that they regularly support The Magic Numbers and played The Green Man Festival in August but I hadn't heard of them. My first assumption was that they were American, with the lead's bottom-of-the-beer-glass baritone (reminiscent of The Handsome Family's Brett Sparks), the girl's off-key 'doo doos' and their warm alt-coutry sound. They are not, but have been called the UK's answer to My Morning Jacket. Definitely one to watch - have a listen to Rainy Days Swimming.

Malcolm Middleton was miserable (of course). He was happiest when his backing band left the stage and he sat alone on a stool and sang moving, miserable songs into the crowd. Self pity is an ever-circling vulture to the carcass of depression though (what a metaphor!) and MM does fall prey to it from time to time. Only to be taken in small doses, preferably when low. Unsurprisingly it didn't register with Jake at all, who doesn't do brooding, introspective, woe-is-me moody.

When: 3/10/05
Where: London Barfly
Who: Malcolm Middleton, Absentee
Review by: Jane Rich
Pitchfork reviews: Absentee