July 1999

To say that opinion is divided concerning Angelica would be something of an understatement. For some they are a feisty, punky pop beat collective on a mission from planet rock. For others they are a nightmare of twee inept inconsequential fluff who got lucky. Whatever you think, the very mention of their name will almost always guarantee you a reaction good or bad, but to polarise them thus is probably missing the point.

Tonight’s performance demonstrates why; simply enough, Angelica do things very differently to nearly everyone else ‘round these parts. Firstly the rules of third division indie (boy) rock are out of the window. They are ambitious. They sound good. They look good. They have songs. These songs are packed to burst with hooks and harmonies that twist themselves right into your subconscious. They are tight and professional without being slick and soul-less, and best of all make all of this appear very effortless.

New single ‘Why did you let my kitten die?’ is introduced by singer Holly as ‘a song about a little cat’. On Juke Box Jury it would be described as a ‘real winner disc’, and tonight is the highlight, three minute pop as it should be done that will just not take no for an answer.

As Angelica prepare to record their third single, no doubt the usual dark mutterings will be heard rumbling around the Lancaster music scene. However, maybe the naysayers would be better served by attending a couple of Angelica gigs, and realising that their talents are very real. Such immaculate pop perfection does not come easily or through mere luck alone, and their detractors would perhaps do well to remember this before they cast judgement so readily.

Mike Hamper