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ClearlakeAmber Domino/Remote Control/Inertia APS's internal monologue upon listening to Clearlake's third album, 'Amber'. "Hmmm. UK band. Guitars. Little bit early 90s-sounding. Wall of guitars plus major-fifth harmonies: OK, how about starting with 'Clearlake display an audible Ride influence.' Yeah, that'll work, especially given the hugely Ridey Far Away, or even the stomping opener No Kind Of Life. And there's a bit of a 60s thing going on with Finally Free, which reminds me a bit of Blur circa 'Modern Life Is Rubbish', so there's probably a Kinks/Jam thing going on there too. How about something like 'At times they suggest vaguely Mod touches in their songcraft'? Yeah, something like that, but less wanky. Dreamt That You Died is an out-and-out country blues which could have done with some pedal steel or something, rather than the deep-in-the-mix E-bow - actually, it reminds me of when The Bluetones did their odd, unsuccessful country songs. So let's mention the Bluetones as well, since no-one will remember them or be able to call me on the somewhat facile comparison. We'll work out how to word it later. "What else? Actually, there's a line in Widescreen that's bugging me: 'I've been caught in a groove like a stuck CD'. Do CDs even have grooves? I should check that. Great song though, with big slashing guitars, like Jonny Greenwood around 'The Bends'. Sounds superb. Should definitely recommend that track to the first time listener. And probably I Hate It That I Got What I Wanted, which I guess would be the best 'single', since it sounds almost Franzy. "Not a bad record though - can't imagine it changing anyone's life, and the band have changed a lot since that hell-atmospheric 'Lido' album they did years ago, but a solid effort. Now, to write it up: 'With their third album, Clearlake display an audible Ride influence...'"  |
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