would have you believe. I've had both of theirs for ages, and played them to bits, and I even went out of my way to get their debut when they were called The Bees, but even I found the Jools Holland performance a trifle flat and uninspiring. No idea what was up with them that evening, but it would have put me off too. My advice is to stick with your purchase.

That's what the Later performance made me think.

Meanwhile, The Civil Wars, the gothic-folk duo; their album is GORGEOUS. No seriously, damn lovely.

Both albums are a joy. Tuneful, joyous melodies, well played and well sung.

Especially with the surround sound jacked up loud. The Civil Wars annoyed me beyond belief, however!

They weren't even the best band on Later...

on the strength of the hype, if you will, in the mag and on the blog. Initially I was underwhelmed to say the least. They are growing on me but they still sound a bit like a Josh Rouse B side collection.

but derivative. It all sounds like something I've heard before.
The first song on Jools had a strong Hall & Oates knockoff vibe to the tune and I thought I heard a good bit of Curtis Mayfield on the second. If they were playing somewhere on the bill at an event I was at anyway, I'm sure I'd enjoy their performance but I wouldn't go purposely out to see them and I doubt I'll be buying their CDs or downloads.

I like The Silver Seas. But no one, as far as I'm aware, has yet pointed out what my daughter alerted me to the first time she heard them. They sound quite uncannily like Jackson Browne*. Sometimes.

*Obviously, a good thing.

a pub band. A better than average pub band granted. But a pub band all the same.

Tony Bennett was pretty good ... with his own pianist. Laura Marling and Miles Kane I could take or leave. I remember thinking at what point what a remarkable affect two humans, a piece of wood and some wires could have on my soul (during The Civil Wars) but it didn't last.

I'm feeling lethargic and tired so can't be bothered cancelling my order for The Silver Seas CD. I do hope they aren't too much like Jackson Browne or Hall & Oates. That wouldn't be good.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll let you know what I think when it arrives.

I thought Laura Marling was really excellent, and while the Silver Seas are unlikely ever to excite me as much live as they do on record, I thought their first song (The Best Things In Life) was a joy: taut, snappy, tuneful and concise. Yes, Daniel Tashian does sound like Jackson Browne, but as I've said before in other contexts, JB didn't write these songs. The Civil Wars really annoyed me - they're just not as hot-to-trot as they obviously think they are.