The Only Ones, Manchester University

 

The man who famously sang "I always flirt with death/ I look ill but I don't care about it" will never win awards for healthy living, but Peter Perrett's hair and shades remain as intact as his humour. The Only Ones haven't played together for 25 years, but he dismisses the hiatus (largely owing to his drug problems) with a cheery: "Sorry it's taken us a little while." It's nothing short of a miracle that they still sound resplendent 90 minutes after the opening track, Lovers of Today.

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Presumably there has been some extremely hard work in rehearsals. Guitarist John Perry unleashes torrents of Technicolor solos, while Perrett's razor-blade drawl remains as intoxicating as anything he has put into his body. With bassist Alan Mair and drummer Mike Kellie playing with unusual feeling, the band's - ahem - chemistry survives to the point that new number Dreamt She Could Fly holds its own among the classics.

Perrett's lyrics have a poignancy you cannot clone. "Once I had a mission, turned into affliction," he sings, movingly. As he reaches out a skeletal hand during the line "Who else but you would stay with me, baby?" the entire audience gulp as one. This emotional and thrilling comeback suggests it's never too late to put things right.

· At Rock City, Nottingham, tomorrow. Box office: 0115-958 8484. Then touring.

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