Audience All Ears For Sensitive Lyrics

The Age

Saturday February 23, 2008

Andrew Murfett, Reviewer

LIOR

Athenaeum Theatre, February 21, lior.com.au

LIOR Attar was enjoying the silence. Midway through Thursday's outstanding album launch, the singer-songwriter began to notice one of the significant differences between playing clubs and ornate theatres: the audience is respectfully silent between each song.

The show itself was Lior's most ambitious yet. String and brass sections were sporadically employed and little expense was spared on the staging set.

After plying his trade in Sydney for years without luck, Lior broke through when his debut album Autumn Flow was embraced by Triple J in 2005. It sold about 70,000 copies.

Over-earnestness is an ever-present danger for those writing the sort of guitar-pop that Lior plys.

Fortunately, his newly released second album Corner Of An Endless Road is more vulnerable than earnest. It's likeable and not difficult to relate to. It's also a hit, debuting at number 13 on the ARIA charts this week.

Lior embraced all of his musical aspirations on Thursday, with a performance showing musicality and songwriting candour.

Many of his songs expose his self-doubt and the teething troubles around his marriage. When utilised, the string section was beneficial to the songs, offering some gravitas to Lior's acoustic guitar and unconcealed lyrical dissection.

To close, he employed his brass quartet for the excellent album closer Safety of Distance. As with the evening's previous instrumental partners, the four wind instruments harmonised sweetly with the vocals.

© 2008 The Age

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