IT would seem We Are Scientists have grown up a bit.

When they last played this venue, in November 2006, it was a show that would stay in my memory for some time.

The likeable and sometimes hilarious quartet - then still including original drummer, Michael Tapper - began that show with a rendition of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds" and elected for "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men for their encore.

That somewhat unique experience wasn't to be repeated this time, as the American Indie-rock boys went for an altogether more straightforward show.

Having just returned to the scene with their second studio album, "Brian Thrust Mastery", they inevitably had a wider repertoire to choose from.

But for the more casual fans like me, it was still the big hits from their first release "With Love and Squalor", that were the highlights.

They delivered "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" early on and that got the crowd jumping.

Although this was a more standard show than last time, there was still plenty of humorous banter between lead guitarist and vocalist, Keith Murray and bassist, Chris Cain, who discussed various life conundrums.

But the sound let them down in both their banter and their performance. It was altogether too loud, almost distorted, and the bass drowned out the vocals more than is good.

This band's other problem - for me at least - is that not enough of their songs stand out. A few of them are pretty run-of-the-mill and I found myself simply waiting for tracks such as "It's a Hit" and the first single from the second album, "After Hours".

It could well be a sign of this band being nearly-men that they still finished the show on "The Great Escape".

It may be one of their catchiest tunes, but, despite being three years old, is probably still their most well known.

That said, it was a good way to end a fairly decent gig, but one that will be forgotten more easily than the first.

9:19am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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