Dan Mangan/ Hafdis Huld/ Sweet Baboo: an evening in 3 moods

The Lexington
18 November 2009

Sweet Baboo - grumpy
As most of SB's pithy songs contain some humorous aspect, even if only of the gallows variety, it seems odd that he should have a song chastising a reviewer for finding his songs funny. Takes himself quite seriously, does this one. Pretty good chops on the guitar, but as he himself observed, not much variation in style throughout his body of work. He should listen to Liz Green; she does something similar, but rather better.

Hafdis Huld - hyperactive
Almost manic, to be honest - although great fun - but nobody should ever give her a strong coffee. Despite being unable to persuade her guitarist to join her dance routine, boundless energy and good humour radiate from the petite singer. Great voice and all the personality in the world go a long way for her - to no.1 in Iceland, only to be the (other) victim of Michael Jackson's demise - but the songs all seem charming if a bit twee. Called back for an encore, even though not the main act - score!

Dan Mangan - happy
Very well supported by a large Canuck contingent, DM was almost playing to a home town crowd, and knew it from the start; his smile was from relief as much as anything. Unpretentious and also quite funny, he hopes to return with a band next time, which would be worth seeing, as decent arrangements might lift his songs above and beyond being mostly pleasant. Stand-outs were Sold, Indie Queens and an as-yet untitled tune, but overall it felt as if each strong song was followed by something slightly indeterminate, but that may be the drawback of trying to imply a band with just a six-string.

Mood-based accounting method for this show rendered not entirely successful at the last, as Mr Happy had a proper, miserable Smiths cover as his second and final encore.