Clearlake
Amber
Domino Records

Wow, it's so good to hear his voice again. I totally fell in love with Clearlake a few years ago when Cedars came out. What a great album that was. If you've never heard Clearlake, they have one of the best Rock and Roll sounds going on right now. It's just so, well, Clear. Clearlake melodies are so inspired. It's like you've heard them before, but you know they are strikingly original.

He sings these lines with a certain disbelief, cadencing in a conversational way: "It's good to see you. It's been a while. You've had your life. I've had mine. It's good to notice all the ways we change but even better how we stay the same. I'd love to know. Tell me everything. I want to know exactly how you've been. Before you know, we'll forget the time and turn around and find we've talked all night. It's getting light outside."

"It's Getting Light Outside" shows Brian Wilson-like complexity, yet has this rock sound that just catches you as if it were timeless. And yes perhaps I'm hearing a small amount of Morrissey fascination here, but oh it fits. And really the more you listen to this song, the more you realize that it's just the strong British accent that reminds you of the moz (wink). But getting back to the point: "It's Getting Light Outside" is a monumental fucking song. Really good to sing along to. I had no idea that Clearlake would grow this much. And I'm just two songs into the album!

On title-track "Amber", the stepped-up orchestra sound is prominent. Amber is a very somber song. The production is smart: it clouds the song in a fog that really conveys strong emotion. The weight of the feelings on this record will take a long time to digest. I can't overstate, this is quite a great record.

"Good clean fun never hurt noone. I'd like to know where I can get mine".

Good point.

So is Amber as good as Cedars. It's been said that things like that don't matter, but for the record, no it's not as good. Cedars' opener alone would carry it. This is however a recommended album, a great album. It's something that would stay with you for a long time. And this band really is one of the best.

Copyright © 2006 Mateo Orillas