SEAGULLS: NO SCORE
In the offbeat film “Repo Man,” a character explained his aversion to cars with the observation that “the more you drive, the less intelligent you are.”
An offshoot of that theory seems apropos to A Flock of Seagulls’ music: The longer the group plays, the more dimwitted its songs become. At least that was the case Thursday when the flock flew in to Capistrano for a sold-out show at the Coach House.
The increasing vacuousness of the British band’s songs was emphasized in a 90-minute set built around its latest “Dream Come True” album, which contains some of the most sophisticated and thought-provoking lyrics to come out of England since Herman’s Hermits.
Lead singer Mike Score is an unexceptional vocalist whose personality stops at his wind-swept coiffure. It was only toward the end of the show, when he stepped on to the front-row tables and shook a few hands, that he made the remotest attempt to establish rapport with the audience.
At least the instrumental attack, propelled by Ali Score’s aggressive drumming and Gary Steadnin’s lively guitar work, gave these fluffy dance tunes more muscle than they received on record.
The group also was scheduled to play Friday at the Palace, and is due at Garfield’s in Huntington Beach tonight and at Magic Mountain next Friday.
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