God forgive Linoleum. They probably didn't mean to but they've gone and invented prog-goth. Still, they've had a hard time of it lately, so maybe we should indulge them.
Once the name on every A&R scout's lips, Linoleum currently find themselves back where they started: on Fierce Panda, promoting their new album, the seductively bored-sounding 'The Race From The Burning Building'. And there's a tangible feeling tonight that Linoleum really are bored with the whole sorry merry-go-round.
For the first 20 minutes tonight they look and sound like they're stuck in yet another rehearsal session, not playing the first night of their tour. Caroline Finch smoulders indifferently behind the mic, while guitarist Paul Jones idly chops out half-remembered Altered Images tunes and only the giddy, chiming recent single, 'Your Back Again', makes any effort beyond a nonchalant shrug.
But then Linoleum decide to get difficult, tugging each song off into some other world until they reach 'This Scene', where we find that improbable fusion of Can and icy goth warblers Cranes. Even the cover of Passions' 'I'm In Love With A German Film Star' glows soft and sinister, like a cigarette in a darkened room.
Time was when Linoleum promised to be something special. With a bit more effort there's no reason why they can't still be.
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