Live Review: The Temper Trap @ KOKO, Camden

The Temper Trap frontman, Dougy Mandagi. Pic: pamhule

KOKO, Camden, London, UK - 22/05/12

Thrashing melodic sounds combined with political meaning attempted to suggest there's more to The Temper Trap than just a sweet pop song once loved by so many before its repetition and demise.

The Australian London-based band summed up last summer's riots with a blood red stage and a classic 90s chorus outburst in London's Burning.

Average first single Need Your Love, opener from the self-titled album released yesterday, provided a familiar guitar riff and too simple a sound, failing to compare to debut Conditions opener Love Lost. This track followed to much delight from an aroused audience who played along to the addictive clapping rhythm.

Although new album fillers Miracle and Rabbit Hole were pleasant, they never reached the heights of Down River. The passion poured out of Jonathon Aherne's acoustic guitar as frontman Dougy Mandagi paraded the stage shouting 'Don't stop!'

Trembling Hands asks us to throw Dougy a line and it seems like he may need the support as the dull chorus is fairly uninspiring.

Thankfully the addictive guitar riff of Science of Fear was not far away and the first of a trio of song highlights soon mesmerised. The breakdown during the track was perfect before a captivating build-up culminated in a grateful applause.

Resurrection quickly followed to keep up the momentum and a superb crashing down with the drums taking poll position was well executed.

The instrumental Drum Song closed a pre-encore set in extravagant style as the band gave it their all and Dougy caught our eye by cheekily pouring water on his personal cymbal before rashly smashing down.

The group returned with the bewitching Soldier On before a dreary new album track disappointingly prepared us for the climax of the evening.

Sweet Disposition met all expectations and the crowd were certainly satisfied trying to reach Dougy's falsetto wonders.

Unexpected 'oldies' were the joys of the night as the new album falls short of any positive comparisons.

Below is the video for The Temper Trap's Trembling Hands: