Cat's Eyes, The Lexington, gig review: Faris Badwan and Rachel Zeffira are riveting to hear
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Starting out as side project, The Horrors frontman Faris Badwan and Italian-Canadian soprano singer-songwriter Rachel Zeffira have found their stride with the couple’s second album together, Treasure House.
Following the releases of an EP and debut album, Cat's Eyes, as well as the award-winning soundtrack for Peter Strickland's The Duke Of Burgundy in 2011, Treasure House arrives following the pair's guerrilla gigs in the Vatican and Buckingham Palace.
Opening the night with a cover of Twin Peaks theme song “Falling” by Angelo Badalamenti, the pair, backed by eight other musicians, pack the big-band punch that the album requires live.
Expanding their sound on their new songs, Cat's Eyes look to their love of all things retro. There are hints of The Beach Boys’ longing sighs, cinematic Disney compositions, and on “Be Careful Where You Park Your Car” a knowing eye to The Angels' “My Boyfriend’s Back", sung with the malevolence of Kathleen Hanna.
A handful of songs from their self-titled debut are dotted into the set (“Face In The Crowd”, “The Lull”) that serve to show the quality of these new songs.
The pair’s opposing forces – celestial and warm (Zeffira) up against caustic post-punk tendencies (Badwan) – strengthen the songs' conversational nature too. Their bond is perhaps at its most intriguing within the sinister “Drag” as Zeffira and her squad of backing singers sing “if they ever knew, they would keep us apart”.
Cat’s Eyes have found a comprehensive musical conversation with Treasure House. On record, it is lush, cinematic and ripe with nostalgia and their new music live – thick with love, anger and heartache – is riveting to hear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments