Razorlight flickers not shines
Razorlight
Eden Sessions
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Razorlight at Eden. Picture by Jo Wood
Review by Lee Trewhela
A STUNNING light show may have ended proceedings with the biomes sparkling to perfection but there was one star that outshone everything at Thursday’s second Eden Session.
That shining light was Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell – unfortunately he only illuminates his own little world.
Kimberly Middleton interviews Razorlight.
The rest of us have to make do with a fair to middling songwriter in a fair to middling rock band who have delusions of grandeur but really are guttersnipe style over substance.
Sporting sunglasses throughout and barely speaking to the audience (he did say he’d like to play at Eden every night, but sounded oddly unconvincing), this was a totally disengaged performance.
There was nothing wrong with it – the band are tight, new flailing drummer David Skully more than makes up for the loss of Andy Burrows and Borrell has a way with a rousing chorus (America, In The Morning etc).
It just didn’t feel like a headline performance worthy of a £40 ticket. Come on, this is Eden, the best venue in the world when a band’s on fire – Kasabian proved that last week. Razorlight simply didn’t rise to the occasion.
The introduction of screens on either side of the stage was a great addition but it meant seeing the Borrell ego in full – it really doesn’t need any extra inflation.
Razorlight are in the novel position of getting worse with every album – so early tracks like the spiky Stumble and Fall and Rip It Up were the undoubted standouts while the songs from last year’s Slipway Fires (Wire To Wire, Hostage of Love, Glory of Love) were meandering and overblown.
Razorlight were much more convincing when reacquainting a British indie audience with the sound of Television and New York new wave than they are going all Springsteen meets Sting.
This was my least favourite Eden Session yet, but what do I know as the crowd lapped it up and as a traditional, somewhat middle of the road rock show it did its job.
The Maccabees, supporting, had more ideas than the headliners but the sausages I had in the biome restaurant were the most memorable part of the night.
Kimberly Middleton interiews the Maccabees.
But at least the bars worked to perfection this time and it was great to see some Cornwall-based acts like Louis Eliot and Ben Howard dotted around the site – more of that please.
To see the slideshow, click here








12 Comments
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by Steve, Truro
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 8:33AM
“If you're daft enough to pay £40 to see one of th most boring bands in the world, then I don't know what you're complaining about. Oh and for the record, Spiritualized are the best band to have played Eden, back in 2002!”
by Dave, St Austell, St Austell
Saturday, July 11 2009, 2:37PM
“Josh, what planet are you on? Kasabian was probably the best gig I've been to at Eden. The atmosphere was electric, and they managed to play more than a handful of good songs, unlike Razorlight. Yes i was annoyed at the fact I couldn't get a pint, but I didn't need it to enjoy myself, Kasabian more than made up for it. Josh, lighten up and enjoy yourself at gigs, or get a deck chair at the back.”
by Jo, Newquay
Saturday, July 11 2009, 11:43AM
“Josh, were you really at the Razorlight gig? You obviously didn't get a face full of someone elses beer dregs then? There were loads of people chucking beer! (I don't get that - you pay loads for a pint and then chuck it at people - can someone explain the fun/point?) The best bit of the night was when people let off the sky lantern although maybe Johnny was a bit upset at losing the limelight...”
by Richard, Brisbane, Australia
Saturday, July 11 2009, 3:17AM
“I saw Razorlight earlier this year at V on the Gold Coast and they were awesome, much better than I thought was going to be. If you was want to comedian see a comedian but if want some cracking tunes you go and see a band like Razorlight.”
by kelly Griifiths, Wadebridge
Friday, July 10 2009, 7:21PM
“I totally disagree, sounded like you were at a different concert. Borrell, big ego? yes, but vocals amazing, sounded great, would definately see them again. Maccabees, love them, Kasabian rocked eden, but Razorlight did it on so many levels. Lets hope next year the Kings of Leon will grace us with their presence in beautiful Cornwall ( in my dreams )”
by Caroline Carter, Padstow
Friday, July 10 2009, 6:32PM
“What??? Razorlight were brilliant! I loved it! Well worth £40 quid and Johnny Borrell illuminated the entire crowd from where I was standing....”
by walt bukowski, exeter
Friday, July 10 2009, 12:45PM
“Ouch - you've outdone yourself Lee.
I take it you didn't rate them?
Save your barbs for (SL) Oasis next week. Everytime I've seen them they've been shi*te.”
by Josh, Truro
Friday, July 10 2009, 12:27PM
“I thought Razorlight was the best session yet in terms of entertainment, atmosphere and organisation. Yes it was ego-tastic, but thats what you expect from a band like this. Conversely, Kasabian came across as an average support type act. Neither band really worked the crowd though. The only difference in atmosphere between the 2 gigs was that at Kasabian people felt the need to throw pints of beer at each other. I get the impression that Lee didn't like Razorlight before the gig and, no matter what performance they gave, was never going to write an unbiased review. Kasabian were tottaly average on Saturday night, I waiting 2 hrs for a beer, everyone was p*ssed off and people were getting hit in the face with plastic cups - yet still got a glowing review. Sort it out”
by Dooby, Cornwall
Friday, July 10 2009, 10:45AM
“Razorlight, or Razor**ite as I like to call them are average at best, and I'm glad others have realised this.
£40 is way too much to see this dad rock dirge - it's the same price as Oasis for goodness sake, if you were one of the lucky ones to get a ticket via the stupid ballot.
At the minute it's well over £200 a pair of tickets on ebay. The whole point of this ballot was to combat touting, what a crock....
And yes Lee, Eden Project is a good venue, but best in the land? I think a few people at Glasgow Barrowlands might disagree with you!”
by Amy, Bodmin
Friday, July 10 2009, 10:24AM
“Over inflated arrogance with an element of suprise would have been credible. The only way I could describe their performace was routine and predictable..just like Question Time! Thank god for the fans like yourself, because it was the enthusiastic people at the gig that made it slightly above average. I think the audience would of reacted the same to a Razorlight tribute band, thanks to some of their catchy songs! Never the less it was an experience and I'm glad you felt you got your moneys worth.”