Why?

Why? you may ask… For many, their unique cross-pollination of hip hop, offbeat American indie and art school sensibility is just irresistible, an impressionistic foray into the American psyche that makes a lot of sense on record where everything is as clear as a button, including the words of lead singer and founder Yoni Wolf. On stage it’s a little heavy; the words lost, the bass bottoming out, while the little intricacies found on record are back in the mix. Still, propelled by the jittery two-pronged percussion attack, the six-piece Why? just about pull it off – they are super-tight, and in Yoni Wolf have an engaging frontman whose vocal melodies cut through the murk… a sizeable 20-something crowd nod in unison, generally lapping up the warm energy. At the end of the gig Yoni got the whole crowd sitting down to pose for a group photo. A lot of love there…

The Old Market, 8 October 2012
Rating:
Jeff Hemmings