Laura Gibson + Dear Reader, The Social - review - Music - Arts

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MacNeil held it all together with her bright vocal and tendency to bash her keyboard dramatically. The joyous Whale (Boohoo) and Mole hinted at the whimsical tunes of Canadian singer Feist but the overall impression was of an assured, original songwriter.

Label-mate Laura Gibson is from Portland, Oregon, which has nurtured The Decemberists, Gossip and the late Elliott Smith. Gibson has played with The Decemberists and like Colin Meloy's band her music is often acoustic yet richer, and more rambunctious, than most folk acts.

She performed new album title track La Grande with purposeful twanging and a crackly microphone effect like a Forties radio announcer, creating a vintage, almost menacing feel suited to a Tarantino soundtrack.

Gibson admitted that three band members were doing the work of five - their sound engineer loomed nearby looking tense - but the artful arrangements were beguiling. As well as strident tunes, there were simple compositions such as the sleepy Milk-Heavy, Pollen-Eyed and Skin, Warming Skin, featuring a cooing voice and gorgeous lap steel guitar.

Dear Reader's MacNeil created some enjoyable chaos as she went missing then returned for her a cappella guest appearance on Feather Lungs.

Otherwise, Gibson was in control and had the audience murmuring backing vocals on The Rushing Dark. With La Grande, she's set to join Portland's pantheon of songwriters.

Laura Gibson