Bleeding Heart Narrative

Now, this band wasn't going to be the subject of my first 'proper' post but I was writing a review of them recently and thought they deserved a post all of their own. And no, don't worry, they are not nearly as 'emo' as their name suggests, if at all. The review in question was of a recent gig in Oxford, the headlining act being a band called Jonquil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEbhF1Faar0 - the people are moving? MENTAL. Take a look at the video and you'll see what I mean), with Bleeding Heart Narrative supporting. I turned up a little late (I had been at the Summer Eights that afternoon, a rowing competition between all the colleges of Oxford. I know, how Oxford of me), just in time for the start of Bleeding Heart Narrative's set. A couple songs in, the singer reveals his band's name, but all I heard "Hmph Tmph Narrative". I thought to myself, 'Hmmm... 'Something Something Narrative', how intriguing. Well, sounds like they're into their literature, a good start!' I cannot begin to describe the feeling of disgust I felt when I found out the two words which alluded me earlier were 'bleeding' and 'heart' (which was made that much worse given that I only found this out upon buying their EP). Of all the words in the English Language, they somehow choose the two most 'emo'? I did have a little cry to myself when I realised I liked a band with the phrase 'bleeding heart' in their name. Ironic. But this is all beside the point (I didn't even write about any of this in the review). What is the point is that they truly are a spectacle to watch live. In the review (which will be available to read in about a weeks time in Nightshift http://nightshift.oxfordmusic.net/, along with my review of Tennis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsbXcJT8yfE), I mentioned how empty the place was and how this didn't affect the band at all and how if anything it seemed like an impetus for them to play that much louder and that much harder. And boy, did they play loud and boy, did they play hard! I think one of the reasons why I found their performance so engaging was because at several points during their set they had more than one drummer. I know this sounds far too simple to really have any plausible effect, but to me it really does, both visually and musically. I think this rather bizarre fascination came about a good few years back, when Foals headlined Brixton Academy. Their main support came in the form of multi-drumming Dananananananananaykroyd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WOIEdlfh7M), which was the first time I had ever considered the possibility of playing with more than one drummer, let alone witnessed it - a good start, then. Then Foals were absolutely amazing (it was back when they hadn't released their second album, Total Life Forever, and were consequently still good, after all), and then they did this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHTLw08wnRU (the party really starts around the two minute mark but do watch it all - it sounds exquisite and makes me realise how much I subconsciously pine for some good quality math rock); they finished their already unforgettable set by getting help from God knows how many drummers specifically for my favourite part for my now favourite album... Mind. Blown. Then a couple years later I saw Stomp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKa-pi577n0) and then a good few months back I saw Dananananaykroyd on their last ever tour (and had the time of my life), which all made my fascination that much deeper. So clearly what this long, somewhat unnecessary tangent shows is how multiple percussionists - quite rationally (?) - are quite close to my heart.
But do go and see Bleeding Heart Narrative should you get the chance; they really do create a wall of sound. I tried to find a video on YouTube which really captures what their live performance is all about, but just like all good live bands it is utterly impossible to transfer such energy into the recording studio. Instead I found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU828ZDSk48) which, although I haven't had a chance to have a good listen to their discography quite yet, I feel at least represents what they're about musically. Plus, one of their songs was featured on, of all programmes, Top Gear (for those who don't know what Top Gear is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUF-N8BsBmU) recently! Can't say I expected a band with the phrase 'bleeding heart' in their name to feature on a motoring programme?