CSS, Koko, London

Koko, London

It looks like a party on stage: there are balloons everywhere, the cavorting Lovefoxxx's colourful jumpsuit is virtually covered by the tinselly boa wrapped around her neck and body, while the bassist, drummer, three female guitarists and two dancing girls all jostle for position. For all their protestations, Brazil's CSS seem more than ever like a frontwoman with backing musicians - a bit like the Sugarcubes before Björk broke free. In fact, with her cute rasp, idiosyncratic garb and Princess Leia hair, Lovefoxxx cuts a Björk-ish figure.

The crowd seem to miss the CSS of old, when they were part favela ingenues, part art-house in-joke we could all share. Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above, and Alala get the best reaction, with their combination of juddering electro and Popbitch-type lyrics. There are no references to Paris Hilton on the newer songs, with titles such as Left Behind proposing less waspish worldview. Musically, although they might imagine they are some fabulous Strokes/Shangri-Las rock hybrid, far too often CSS just sound like the Go-Gos. Even when they hit default mode on Move - quirky electropop with sardonically sassy vocals - you can't help feeling the Ting Tings are doing this sort of thing better. CSS: they are so 2006.

The show ends after 40 minutes, the shortest in living memory, and despite three encores, the abiding impression is of a band suffering from typical second album syndrome - wondering how they got here and where they are going next. As parties go, it was a bit flat.

· At Reading festival on August 24. Details: readingfestival.com

Contributor

Paul Lester

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

CSS – review
The long-absent Brazilian fivesome make a valiant effort to re-persuade Britain that there still ain't no party like a CSS party, writes Caroline Sullivan

Caroline Sullivan

24, Aug, 2011 @5:41 PM

Pete Cashmore reviews the latest music releases

Kid Carpet | AC/DC | The Ting Tings | The Kooks | CSS

Pete Cashmore

10, Oct, 2008 @11:01 PM

Article image
Sexy beasts

CSS formed as a joke. Now the Sao Paulo rock group are having the last laugh. Sophie Heawood caught up with them in New York.

Sophie Heawood

28, Jul, 2006 @11:17 AM

Pick of the week: London: Rock & pop

Hot Leg | Sam Sparro | CSS | White Lies

04, Oct, 2008 @11:12 AM

Article image
CD: CSS, Donkey

(Sub Pop)

Alexis Petridis

10, Jul, 2008 @11:18 PM

Jaimie Hodgson joins CSS on a New York gig marathon

Brazil nuts!: They're the electro-punk minxes from Sao Paolo who've set the blogosphere alight and become one of the hippest bands of the year. Jaimie Hodgson joins CSS on a New York gig marathon.

Jaimie Hodgson

18, Nov, 2006 @12:11 AM

Eva Wiseman reviews the latest music releases

Annie | Neon Neon | McFly | Madonna | CSS | Kid Rock

Eva Wiseman

11, Jul, 2008 @11:02 PM

New releases: Feb 17

LCD Soundsystem | The Horrors | The Killers | CSS | Shy Child | Unklejam

Tony Naylor

17, Feb, 2007 @12:00 AM

Are CSS the model pan-global pop concern? asks Caspar Llewellyn Smith
Born in Brazil but making music to thrill festival crowds everywhere, are CSS the model pan-global pop concern? By Caspar Llewellyn Smith

Caspar Llewellyn Smith

14, Jun, 2008 @11:00 PM

Bestival review: CSS

We know they're a solid live outfit, but sadly, the new stuff just doesn't stand up when mixed with the old

James Anthony

08, Sep, 2008 @9:18 AM