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Its thirteen songs (songs, remember them?) are punctuated with poetic lyrics, streetsmart sassiness and a laidback ambience. Recalling both the Cockney skittle n’ jazz charm of 2 Banks of 4 and the epic cinemascope of Joni’s (Mitchell) Ladies of the Canyons, Half Seas Over both deliberatly washes over you and makes you sit up to take in the intelligent lyrics and (occasional) tempo changes. It is a very good album nearing onto excellent and is certain to make the ‘best of’ lists at the end of the year.

The band’s inaugural show took place at Cafe Oto, based in Dalston, it is fast making a name for itself as the venue of choice. The place was packed partly due to a favourable preview in the London free sheet ‘Metro’. And the expectation was midly high; those that were lucky enough to receive promos of the new album were suitably impressed; free tracks on the label’s wesbite had also gone down well, and the blogosphere was also positive.

Elan Mahler began proceedings with a three number solo set, ‘Scheme 4 Thought’, ‘Yes’ and ‘Elvis Preseley Blues’ which all worked very well. Subdued lighting framed Mehler caressing the keys, mouthing lyrics and very much an artist moved by performing. The white walls, dusty curtains, stone floor added a Lower East Side vibe to the evening, important as the album strides between boho New York and modern Paris (more on this later). The comparison with NYC was cemented when the ‘quiet sound’ of piano was broken by the shrill of a police siren “I brought the cop car to bring that New York vibe” Mehler joked.

The second set, saw Adam McBride-Smith join the fore, with drummer, bassist and accordian player — the latter two from France, no doubt due to McBride-Smith’s being a Paris resident. The set followed much the same as album, the potent folk-jazz template holding court, punctuated with a strong accordian. The sound of the latter and the relaxed vibe in funky, distressed surroundings reminded me of the batch of basement jazz clubs in Paris I used to frequent, at the beginning of the decade, often illegal the mix of artists and audience being part of a ‘secret club’ was replicated here.

Half Seas Over are a band who a very strong both on CD and live, and for the standard they set at the first show, was impressive. Highly recommended.