Simon Docherty catches Wild Beasts on resplendent form aboard the Thekla.

To many Wild Beasts' debut was too bewildering to process; an hysterical, overly effeminate onslaught of screeching falsettos romanticising everything from chips and cheese to ill-fated football teams with an almost Wildean flourish. Despite critical acclaim Limbo, Panto went practically unnoticed, drowned out by a multitude of meatheaded British guitar bands without a fraction of Wild Beasts' subversiveness or intelligence.

With this in mind, its particularly affirming to be surrounded by an enthralled, close to capacity Thekla crowd.

Opening with Two Dancers highlight 'The Fun Powder Plot', the newfound preciseness of the rhythm section is even more pronounced, whilst away from the vocal-led production of the record there's more space to appreciate the guitars slowly building shimmering insect riffs into exquisitely layered interlocking patterns.

Whilst on record 'Two Dancers Pt I' and 'This Is Our Lot' are brimming with defeatism, on stage they bristle with defiance and sit remarkably comfortably next to the few old songs that get an airing. 'The Devil's Crayon' gets a rapturous reception and sounds all the more proto-Two Dancers amongst the new material.

Moreso than ever before there is an intensity in the live show that propels the already strong material to even headier heights.

The British music press does have a nasty habit of jumping the gun on promising indie bands from these shores, possibly in the hopes of grasping back some control of an America dominated scene. This time though, there might just be something in it.