The New Sound?

Much has been made of the Horrors new studio release Primary Colours. Why? Because it is an unexpected, and incredible improvement on their debut. But skimming through youtube videos of their recent performances in anticipation of seeing them at Big Day Out, I am becoming a little nervous. I am wondering if the band are at all comfortable with the constraints of their 'new sound'.

Take this example. The first clip here is an older performance of 'Jack the Ripper' from the Horrors first release Strange House. This is very typical of what their reputation was based on before the release of Primary Colours.

Now compare that with an April 09 performance of one of their 'new sound' pieces, Who Can Say.

Don't look nearly as comfortable do they?

I put this partly down to the singer, Faris Badwan. The instrumentalists of the band sound tight, but Faris seems to be clinging to the old way of things. He is singing 'Jack the Ripper' while the rest of the band is playing 'Who Can Say'. I think the band's live performance would improve significantly if he either started actually singing, or become a real frontman instead of just wandering aimlessly around the stage, looking completely lost.

Any maybe they are lost. They look it. They even sound it.

Despite the fact that the new album and the new sound is ... amazing, I hope the band is happy with it. No act should have to put up with producers and labels forcing them to sound like something they are not. If the comparison between these two performances is anything to go by, The Horrors may not be The Horrors anymore.

I find that a little sad.

EDIT: I would also add that I am even more certain of my conclusion after reading the Horrors wiki, especially on how during their early career they used to produce fanzines complete with compilations of other bands. This band, to me, seems designed for the underground... well, perhaps more so than being blinded the bright lights of success.