December 15, 1999

London Camden Falcon

Those hoodwinked by [a]Angelica[/a]'s recent [B]'Why Did You Let My Kitten Die?'[/B] single into thinking they'd found the new Kenickie will be leaving disappointed tonight...

Those hoodwinked by Angelica's recent 'Why Did You Let My Kitten Die?' single into thinking they'd found the new Kenickie will be leaving disappointed tonight. Their loss - as Angelica are something very different, and special, indeed.

The Lancastrian four-piece might well have a neat line in quickfire Northern wit, but their blitzing pop tunes are the low points of a set which is strongest when the girls slow the pace and heighten the tension. New single 'Bring Back Her Head' is like early Dinosaur Jr playing The Raincoats. It'll be a sad day when Angelica start rehearsing and trade their ramshackle charm for overrated concepts like playing in tune.

Meanwhile, over at the Water Rats, tight is the buzzword for The Junket. Sinewy melodies punch and scratch from the most deliciously complex of rhythmic bases, all unexpected seismic explosions and gorgeous, strangled vocals. 'Brace Yourself' and 'The Engine Man' prove The Junket can carve perfect pop from the punk-rock furnace, but newer material played tonight shows a distinct nod in more oblique, bloody-minded directions. They're still the sexiest sweat-drenched corrugated-guitar unit this side of Fugazi - all contortions, contusions, screaming raging NOW. They're also criminally ignored and undersold. Seek, seek.