From Iceland — Forgive Us Our Trespasses

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GAS

Steed Lord are about to embark on a month long trip of the States, which will see them supporting Chromeo. In Reykjavík tonight, they raise the roof as the home crowd loves them. However, to break through the American electro scene, Steed Lord will require a lot more than a live show and being well groomed. They may look incredible, but hardly sound revitalizing.
   The atmosphere is sticky and the bass throbs like a hummingbird’s ass. The electro of ‘Take My Hand’ recalls Princess Superstar whereas the groove in ‘Feel The Heat’ rips off the funk of Parliament. So, how one hipster manages to pigeon-foot his dancing around the glasses on the narrow bar is anyone’s guess. Their following, laudable and similar to the band, think of themselves as dope.
   It’s a good thing that M.E.G.A and Kali split the front duties because their self-indulgence grates after a while. Both of them need each other in the band, so never go solo, guys! ‘Its What U Do 2 Me’ gets people really moving and despite being their last – and best – song, it’s a disorientating closure. The end of the cut is mixed into the DJ Set as no doubt will happen when Armand Van Helden plays it out in Miami. This feels like an exclusive party, but rock and roll in a lounge setting jars a little.
   Steed Lord know how to kick up the jams and mix with the right people. Their show doesn’t contain an ounce of insecurity and the artifice could smell like burnt plastic if the tunes stay only skin-deep. The bands approach to vocoder’s is no better than say Cut Copy and the bass lines tonight don’t pack the dynamite of Felix Da Housecat. While you can shake your hips initially, the shifting of tempo tangles up the elasticity in your waistline. You can truly tell when they’re finished as the crowd moves onto the next party as if foreseeing that the Lord may have the longevity of a Pot Noodle.