London Shephard's Bush Empire, April 30.

THERE was a time when Curve were the lone stars of an otherwise embarrassing (but brief) era called "shoegazing". While their counterparts peeked out at the world from under their fringes, preferring their own reflection in their shoes, Toni Halliday and Dean Garcia, Curve's songwriters, pouted boldly at the camera. Toni confessed to composing and recording her vocals at night and no one was surprised - their looped, lurking grooves and spooky vibe pre-dating yer Underworlds and Portisheads.

The return of Curve has so far met with confused reactions, despite the predictably burning limited-edition EP "Chinese Burn" and the current success of the almost Madonna-sounding "Coming Up Roses". Perhaps this special London showcase will prove once and for all that it's not that Curve have actually changed, only that the rest of the world has finally caught up with them.

The London show was supposed to have been the highlight of a national tour - which has been temporarily cancelled due to a lack of a permanent drummer. Nonetheless, you can bet that it will be still be a showbiz affair, crammed full of musicians, DJs and critics, or just any type who's addicted to music. Curve always dig deep and then continue to refine and extend their tunes, or moods. It's a killer effect live, if they're game - and it would seem they are.

review by Ngaire Ruth (nicked from 'Melody Maker', dated 2 May 1998)