The Forum, London	n/a
Melody Maker	17 November 199x

When Catchers announce they're going to do an acoustic set of their vibrant folk rock without a rhythm section, we batten down the hatches and prepare for a limp and aimless set. How wrong we are. "Country Fields" (sic) is the very best of things. Dale Grundle's mesmerising Irish brogue rages as he hits out at his guitar. "Call Her Name" is a cathedral of sound and Alice Lemon's searing, soaring voice is of the vintage that once inspired hacks to write 10,000-word eulogies on Liz Fraser called"Euphonious Cacophony of Dolphins' Heartbeats". Hear Alice sing, won't you? They're joined by a pianist and a drummer on "Epitaph". Naturally, this doesn't give them cause to rock out; they probably don't watch TV after the 9pm watershed, let alone throw one out of the window, but Christ, this is gorgeous. It's so rare to see something this good, this special. After travelling 3,000 miles due west to have Belle and Sebastian cancel at the last minute because one of them was poorly, Catchers show how to reach new heights with a pared-down, revitalised line-up. Could those Scottish minstrels have been this good? Maybe, but only on a very, very good night indeed.