Pineapple Thief was as promised,
My friend called them "shoegazer" rock. I got through four songs and heard the rest while outside. That is not a prog band. Sort of in the style of U2 and REM with a nod to Porcupine Tree, totally devoid of excitement. Teerminator, save me here, I know you like them. I did not, sam I am.
Pallas was shockingly stunning. I saw them at Nearfest and while good lacked the intamacy needed to fully appreciate them. Graeme Murray had his Rickenbacker CRANKED. If it was anything other than a Rick, I would have hated it. It was loud! Emotional songs, some disturbing, political, and social.
The first two tunes would have been comfy at a Maiden show. Propulsive and tasteful. The highlight was Euan Lowson, a former Pallas singer, relearning 20 year old songs and singing them (he did 3-4). He did a war tune and a song where he played a child murderer, and was chilling in his actions. And a great voice. (A funny moment later that evening, I saw Alan reed with three beers he was carrying, I reached for one playfully, and he replies with a grin, "Fuck off"!)
The Watch I tried to get into and they tried hard. But sonically, they were a bit flat. I found the songs very interesting, not at all like Genesis (although Simone Rosetti's vocals are too much like him). Fabio Mancini's keys were superb, but the rest of the band was not ral good. The drummer was off all night, especially during an encore of "Get Em Out By Friday" that got an A for effort and originality but a D for execution. You don't play straight rock and roll drums on that one.
Well I know I'm long winded but I felt I owed you a review...and sorry about the typos...