7

No revolution here comrade

Leeds based four piece Nikoli are in the process of recording their debut album and have self financed/released three EP's to date, the most recent being 2005's 'Stay Safe Tonight'.

A four piece band based around singer / guitarist Tim Hann, they are well received by a decent sized crowd in the HiFi club. Unfortunately the sound is not too great and this results in the keyboards being drowned out by the bass. Despite the appreciative crowd most of the band remain rather inanimate throughout, the exception being Hann, who tries but seems a little self concious. The songs are fairly light, upbeat affairs with some nice harmonies in places but whilst it's all very tight there is nothing fancy about what they do. Nikoli have some decent tunes but they're all a bit too predictable and standard in their construction and are somewhat one paced.

It all comes across as very nice and friendly and maybe that works in this rather intimate setting but I wonder if they could pull it off on a bigger stage? Fair play to them though, the swelling crowd seem to dig it. It's just a shame that the band themselves couldn't have put on more of a show, particularly in the more up tempo numbers.

Final song 'Sandstone' proves to be the highlight of the set with it's catchy riff that gives way to a good chorus. This at least ensures that Nikoli finish on a high.