Allstars Learn From Their Early Mistakes

The Black Crowes might be an unusual band for an English dance act to be compared to, but there were multiple similarities apparent between the Crowes and England’s Lo Fidelity Allstars during the latter’s 75-minute set on Wednesday at Vynyl.

Besides the retro appearance and sometimes indulgent jamming, the two acts have similar career paths. Each came out with an abundance of hype and an arrogance to match it, and each has been humbled by commercial disappointment. And each seemingly has become a better band for it.

Certainly the Allstars’ eccentricities, such as the retro style and the indecipherable banter, were more tolerable without the attitude. And the crowd was pulling for them.

The six-piece band (including a turntablist) showed off its live chops early on, following the keyboard-heavy new wave sound of “The All, the All” with the funk stylings of “Cattleprod,” from its recently released second album, “Don’t Be Afraid of Love.”

While its playing was impressive, it took the group far too long to embrace the dance side of its music. When it did, though, the one-two punch near the end of the warm, inviting techno of “Lo Fi’s in Ibiza” and the fast-paced beats of “Disco Machine Gun” made for a truly memorable close.

Steve Baltin