Dog day afternoon

FURNITURE
Leeds Duchess Of York

THE TERMS 'perennial' and 'one-hit wonder' don't really go hand in glove when considered literally, except, that is, when applied to Furniture.

They've been around since the early '80s but '84's startling 'Brilliant Mind' remains their high point. They agreeably resurrected it in their main set tonight when more calculating acts may have delayed it until at least a second encore.

The general core of Furniture's set is provided by a blend of older, intensified songs aligned to a somewhat more subtle approach favoured by their forthcoming 'Food, Sex And Paranoia' LP. They capture a sense of angst, jealousy and frustration in the venerable 'Make Believe I'm Him' while improvising a similar theme in the newer 'Taste Of You'.

'Subway To The Beach' and 'Slow Motion Kisses', both perfectly inoffensive affairs recalling Colourbox, are taken beyond the levels of indifference by vocalist Jim Irvin's frantic onstage motions. The band's interchanging of instruments, though doubtless well rehearsed, further protects them from the terrors of vapidity by creating an aura of spontaneity.

One song, though, perfectly captures the mood. 'Song For A Doberman', a solemn ballad coloured by Sally Still's pensive vocal, tears dramatically through the senses. If it appears as the next single, then talk of one-hit wonders should be eradicated for ever.

Ian Cheek