• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

Gustaph of Hercules and Love Affair

Jun 29, 2014 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2014 By Laura Studarus Photography by Laura Studarus

I’m going to say something potentially shocking—I’m not a big fan of Hercules and Love Affair. Sure, their debut album had some nice moments, but that had more to do with the undeniable power of guest vocalist Antony. The bone I pick has everything to do with BPM. Does it ever change? Sure a monotonous beat is great for getting down. But I don’t dance. (I’m also allergic to puppies, kittens, chocolate, sunshine, and happiness.) But…I had a blast at the group’s show on Friday night at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Shocked? Yeah, me too.

I’m not going to walk away with a deeper appreciation for the music. Songs from the group’s recently released album The Feast of the Broken Heart bled together until I had a hard time figuring out when one stopped and one began. And as far as innovation goes, Disclosure has them beat by a long shot. But band founder Andy Butler knows how to surround himself with talent. (See: Antony, John Grant, and Nomi Ruiz.) The band’s current incarnation features vocalists Rouge Mary and Gustaph—both who possess the kind of charisma that could coax even the most hardened curmudgeon (that would be me) into dancing, or the most enthusiastic fan into stripping off his close and dancing on stage. (To you good sir, kudos on your confidence.) In the end, the show was a bit like a brief flirtation with a stranger. Sure it gets your pulse racing, but chances are more likely than not that you’ll never see them again.

Check out a gallery of Hercules and Love Affair photos here.

(www.facebook.com/herculesandloveaffair)

(www.facebook.com/montrealjazzfest)