InMe - Caught: White Butterfly [album]

August 26, 2006, 09:52 PM

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Ever an intriguing prospect, Essex trio InMe are possibly the last band on the planet that’d be expected to release a live album. They are a band who over the years (they’ve been around for the better part of a decade) have flattered to deceive on many occasions, but always attracting a loyal and dedicated following. The masses have never really embraced the band, despite their first release ‘Overgrown Eden’ reaching the Top 20 in 2003; needless to say they’ve battled on with an almost cult status ever since.

It’s sometimes hard to see how such an original prospect failed to make the grade from their early start, the well documented record label troubles were to blame for sure, but it’s only the hardcore loyal fans who seemed to maintain faith in the band up until now. They’re upcoming club tour of the UK is an indication of where they stand in the current musical climate. So, it’s always a surprise to see such a band releasing a live CD with seemingly so little justification for doing so.

The answer to the above doubt is laid out quite simply by front man Dave McPherson towards the closing stages of this live set, which was recorded at London’s Astoria on December 17th 2005. It’s a release for all the people who’ve stood by and supported them, InMe are grateful for the fortune which came their way in 2005, and McPherson puts it clearly: “It’s been a ****ing great year for us and it’s all because of you people and that’s it, that’s ****ing it. Just wanna say thank you.”

As far as live recordings go, it’s always hard to gauge the quality of a show from a recording, InMe put on a live show to rival many top bands, and it’s always an enriching experience to be in the pit or just watching this band. They have supreme confidence in what they’re doing and have written some truly euphoric pop-laden songs. As far as those songs go, all the best songs are here, all as energetic as intended. The band start off with the tried and tested methods, the opening riff to ‘7 Weeks’ follows a eager chant of “InMe” from the crowd, excited with anticipation, they sound like they haven’t been let down. ‘Crushed Like Fruit’ carries the mood further, the recordings don’t really sound too different from the album versions, InMe are certainly flawless in creating perfect renditions, and all the extra perks from the ‘Overgrown Eden’ songs are recreated live quite effectively, though it sounds a little sloppily done at first.

McPherson announces “scream if you want to go faster” before to tide of feedback converts into uplifting anthem ‘Faster The Chase’, the band aren’t quite hitting all the notes and pulling all the punches, but surely being there and witnessing it would’ve made up for that, yet again, the flaw of a live recording shining through early on. Another tide of feedback introduced ‘Just A Glimpse’, this sounds pretty impressive in the recording, the songs push past as a formality though, even ‘Otherside’ and ‘Chamber’, possibly two of the least favourable songs in the back catalogue for live inclusion are given space in this 60-minute set. ‘So You Know’ seems to recapture the crowd’s enthusiasm, as it speeds up things from ‘Chamber’, the song is certainly one of the best the band have written, and it’s nice to see it maintains some of the glory of the recorded version here live, InMe certainly are pulling out all the stops to make this show a memorable and CD worthy one.

The set seems to adapt a formality which is familiar to a band who apply their trade so well and have lots of experience of working crowds and playing shows, it’s a gentle ride through the InMe back catalogue and the short foray of ‘Alaya’ concludes the normal set following some classic songs such as ‘Neptune’, ‘Safe In A Room’ and ‘Lava Twilight’ with the later sounding big and bold following the band’s aforementioned thanks to the fans.

As ever at InMe shows, Dave McPherson begins the encore with an acoustic version of ‘White Butterfly’, the title track of their most recent album, the reception the introduction of the song receives and the ensuing (barely audible) sing along say anything you ever need to hear about this song, it is InMe through and through, small yet epic, captivating without being over exuberant, to their loyal followers they are all that was ever required of a band. The truly uplifting rendition of this song is followed by equally beautiful ‘Parting Gift’, which still receives crowd accompaniment, albeit a little quieter still. The set concludes on two catchy oldies, just in case the crowd got too subdued with the acoustic renditions, ‘Mosaic’ and ‘Firefly’ certainly fill a big gap, and it’s easy to imagine the crowd being blown away and left wanting more.

Unfortunately, we, the listeners weren’t all in this crowd, for those who were it can no doubt stir the same sort of memories as looking through an old photo album, making you smile as you recall the moments spent and the feelings gone. Where InMe no doubt succeeded live, they fall staggeringly short on CD, the simple fact is, you could print a list of the set off and play the songs off individually (provided you own both of their full lengths) and it would sound the same, probably better, even. The sentiment is touching from the live performances, but it’s always a bit hit and miss, this set was recorded in December 2005, and is only just released August this year, InMe’s time would surely have been better spent writing new material and releasing a new full length.

To summarise, this is certainly a must own for fans of InMe, on the other hand, if you’re that much of a fan, you’ll have the albums and there’s nothing new on show here, unless you were at this gig this album will most likely not stir anything inside of you which hasn’t already been stirred, a truly great live band sound slightly subdued, here’s to hoping that some new material surfaces from them sooner rather than later (debatable following the recent departure of long time bassist Joe Morgan) and the prospect of seeing them live and catching this great experience for myself rather than the second hand “experience” I’m offered with this new CD. Good band; bad idea.

Kevin Barnes

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