These New Puritans @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Hey, it's another bratty U.K. band-of-the-moment who play exceptionally catchy, danceable tunes and who we will probably not remember in four years. Did I mention they're utterly fantastic?

Grade: 94

Comment: You can usually judge a band by the first few notes. So often, groups have one gear and stay on it. That's what separates most festival also-rans from the truly great groups. The great bands actually build momentum and defy initial expectations. While These New Puritans didn't impress right off the bat, they owned the room by about the third song.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronunciation: E 
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: S
Image: E
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
I don't really get singer Jack Barnett's suit of armour. I think he's got enough of an engaging and enigmatic presence that he hardly needs the gear. Plus, it's a little out of place with the rest of the band. His banter was meandering, mostly repeating the name of the group and the current year, but he was so electric when he was singing that it didn't matter. Keyboardist Sophie Sleigh-Johnson has the board Brit look down to perfection. For a band just out of their teens, they possessed the presence of 10-year electronic-punk veterans.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: How good were These New Puritans musically? Well, a sizable mosh pit only got bigger as the set advanced to its superb climax. Barnett and backup singer/multi-instrumentalist Thomas Hein had scary-good vocal interplay. These New Puritans aren't this good on record, but that's because the recorded versions of these songs can't possibly capture their frightening live intensity.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: E 
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: E
Indie Rock Footwear: E
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Here's the only issue with These New Puritans: they're one of those great-for-a-fleeting-moment British bands. You can just feel it. Their record got good reviews and their live shows are revered, but it's nearly impossible to visualize their next step. If this sounds familiar, it's probably because you're familiar with Ikara Colt, Art Brut, The Long Blondes and British Sea Power and a hundred other U.K. groups who have one awesome moment in the sun and then drown in the pressure of following it up. If they manage a stellar second blast, it will go a long way to ensuring longevity, but the odds are highly, highly against it.