Live Review
Sundara Karma
Sebright Arms, London
March 10 2015
Words: Linn Branson
Photos: All images courtesy Sam Pritchard Photography
(sampritchardphotography.com/)
Are Reading's Sundara Karma the best band in the world? No, of course not; as yet, they have still a few more stripes to earn before they even get near to that impossible accolade. Are they the best new band in the UK? Ah, that is different matter. Judging by the last few months alone, where they seem to have taken giant steps forward, they could well be. Certainly since they've now all left school (are bands getting increasingly younger these days, or is it just us getting older?) since they first embarked on their musical mission a few years ago, they have more time to direct to the band, rather than swotting over A-Levels, as they were early last year.
There's a kind of engaging charm about these four. Frontman Oscar 'Lulu' Pollock, a fey character who for part of the time he's on stage parades a range of striking poses, occasionally tucking strands of his shaggy blond locks back from his face and thanking the crowd in a shy, softly pitched manner, then just as easily he pulls out a belter of a vocal depth suddenly in song, then one of his little trademark yelps, and you listen with a half smile on your lips as you think to yourself, "blimey, where did that come from!"
Tonight, it's a belated EP launch show - for the band's debut four-tracker which came out last month - headlining at one of those London shows that are legendary for their hard-to-please crowds. Not that that seemed in evidence, although the rammed room of the Sebright Arms did take on three distinct levels: front two rows comprising of obviously well-seasoned Karmaramas, young doe-eyed schoolgirls and a dozen laddy moshers; back row of first level was governed by the twentysomethings, listening attentively and exercising their heads and upper torsos with nods and shakes, while the upper level and rear was reserved for the over 30s who sought safety for their eardrums - and drinks - and stayed away from the exuberant youth at the front, enjoying proceedings in their own comfortable space.
That pretty much sums up Sundara Karma, for whether by choice or design they give an aura, and deliver songs, that cut across both age groups to appeal to a wide audience range. It's a relatively short, seven-song set that seems to start and finish all too quickly. From dreamy opener - the first recorded taste we heard of the Karmas, too - 'Cold Heaven with its package of hooks and oh-so-melodic guitar work, and the rascal Lulu enticingly inviting, “Keep me warm/because it’s cold in heaven”, as shimmering riffs pour out; through to inevitable set closer, 'Loveblood', the anthemic single that has undoubtedly upped the ante for them this year - and sets the moshers off into a frenzy - they deliver in a way that belies both age and experience.
It's easy to draw comparisons between Sundara Karma and the likes of Swim Deep, and indeed lines such as, “You’re the devil in a push-up bra” in 'Hustle', the big hook monster, recall to mind 'King City'; ‘Freshbloom’ also has a touch of B-Town aplomb about it in its reverbed guitar and chorus.
With 'Waves', 'The Night' and 'Indigo Puff', all filled out with resplendent fuzzy hooks encapsulated in drowsy guitar chords, entrancing vocal dynamic, and so much polish that you can probably see your face in the drum skins, these four cut a presence that stands out head and shoulders over the rest.
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