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September 19-25, 2002 musicpicks Gene
At this point, Gene have been around longer than The Smiths, and released more albums as well, so it might be time to lay those comparisons to rest. Sure, singer Martin Rossiter employs his share of quavery theatrics, and guitarist Steve Mason knows his way around a Marr-tial riff. But Rossiter's less a sardonic schoolboy than a full-on romantic, a tendency that's increasingly held sway over the band's output. Libertine (Contra/iMusic) occasionally succumbs to self-importance -- the string coda on "Does He Have a Name?" stretches on for two and a half interminable minutes -- but then it's not easy being a sensitive boy in today's world. Libertine arrives on these shores many months after its European release, and the band's last album, Revelations, never made it here at all. When everything clicks, as on the classic "Fighting Fit" or the new album's "Yours for the Taking," Gene knows how to sell the drama, and giving in is the easiest thing in the world. Fri., Sept. 20, 9 p.m., $12-$14, with Mathew, The North Star, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-922-LIVE, www.northstarbar.com.  -- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
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