Clearlake - 'Can't Feel A Thing' (Domino)
3/5
By: Kari Wynn
With all their accolades, celebrity fans (Mr. Cocker, Mr. Stipe, and the recently dearly departed Mr. Smith) and the general fawning adoration that seems to follow them, one would anticipate Clearlake to be surpassing their contemporaries. And for a band so ingenious at delivering a gentle pop punch with a bit of cheek, it truly proves hard not to just love them.
Yet, latest single from second album, 'Cedars', reveals an altogether rougher, more raucous 'Lake, one seemingly contented with the prospect to rock - but can these unassuming, jumblesailing giants take up the task?
The result is well... somewhat abrasive. But in a slap-you-in-the-face-ha-ha-won't-this-be-a-big-f**king-surprise kind of way. 'Can't Feel A Thing' sees a harder-edged Brighton-ian combo taking centre-stage, coming on guitars a-blaring and makes no apologies for it. Dynamically intense in a turn-it-up-to-11 sort of fashion.
'We All Die Alone', meanwhile, sees vocalist/guitarist Jason Pegg sounding like Morrissey during his punkier moments with The Smiths, or maybe Gene with a raging hard-on, whilst 'I Want To Walk' brings back the elements of Clearlake we've all come to know and love - beautifully sweeping melodies, and a dreamy pace contented with merely bobbing along.
And so yet another lovely side to an already well-multifaceted band. Is there no end to this eccentricity?
Artists in this article: Clearlake
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