Brighton quintet Le Band Extraordinaire clearly did not have modesty in mind when they were choosing their band’s name, and considering they have performed alongside acts such as The Guillotines and Amanda Palmer (of Dresden Dolls fame,) their claims may well be justified.
Admittedly it took a few listens, but their self-titled EP does show a few marks of genius. Apart from one or two moments where they almost slip into Fratellis-esque indie-rock mediocrity, the four tracks are remarkably diverse and unique, buoyed up by frenzied drumming and raucous saxophone.
I have the distinct feeling that, were it spread over a full-length album, the overtly experimental style would become tedious. However, as a short sample of the band’s artistic labours the EP is intriguing, and suggests that their live performances are far from run of the mill.
