FOUR STAR MARY - Rock City (Live) Posted by claire on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 After a belated start, Four Star Mary kick off the second date of their current UK tour in a slightly muted fashion. Whether it’s the lateness of the hour that’s to blame or the lack of a support act to warm up the crowd, but it all seems to lack the desired punch somehow. The darlings of American teen TV soundtracks, Four Star Mary pound out the songs with gusto and are quickly pouring with sweat, but like a bad Chinese meal it just left me wanting to sink my teeth into something more filling. Singer Tad howls out a barrage of lyrical introspection and the rest of the gang plug along enthusiastically with a set list dominated by tracks from their Thrown to the Wolves album. Single track Dilate is well received by the pit of loyal fans at the front, and the group’s anthemic track Pain provokes them to further wild flailing. I have seen FSM play before and at the time was impressed by their brand of hard-edged but radio friendly, melody-laden rock-n-roll, but tonight left me a little cold. It all seemed a bit by the numbers; perfectly executed but as bland as a Central TV sitcom. Hopefully things will pick up as the tour progresses, but based on tonight’s performance FSM are unlikely to collect many new UK converts this time out. Adrian Jones