Catatonia Shows Versatility but Lacks Distinct Style

A big hit in the U.K., Welsh quintet Catatonia brought its blend of Brit-pop and post-punk grit to the El Rey Theatre on Thursday, heralding the U.S. release of its current album, “Equally Cursed and Blessed.”

The 70-minute performance had its moments, but the group’s material proved no more distinguished than “Mulder and Scully,” the trifling “X-Files”-inspired frustrated-love song for which Catatonia is best known in this country.

Led by charismatic singer Cerys Matthews, the band performed most of the new album and selections from 1998’s “International Velvet.” The music’s versatility kept things interesting, as the players mixed Beatles-style classic pop, droning alt-rock guitars and folksier bits, coming off like a grimier Pulp or perhaps a less aggressive Echobelly.

Nevertheless, the songs didn’t have much staying power. Their off-kilter viewpoints were intriguing, but they were short on strong hooks.

Ultimately, the band appeared more the sum of others’ styles than a purveyor of its own.

Still, Matthews’ blustery, good-natured presence and quirky, lilting vocals helped carry the day.

Her tomboy sex appeal let her pull off the burst of ironic, sports-like Welsh pride in “International Velvet,” yet that brash voice proved surprisingly vulnerable in such low-key moments as the bittersweet “Don’t Need the Sunshine,” accompanied only by guitarist Owen Powell.