CLEARLAKE’S recent third album “Amber” is already sounding like a dark horse in the Best of 2006 stakes and demonstrates that there’s still plenty of mileage in wired and brittle guitars and neat lyrical observation when placed in capable and intelligent hands like those belonging to the likes of Jason Pegg and co.
The album’s closing track “It’s Getting Light Outside” never exactly hid its’ light under a bushel In the ‘impending single contender’ stakes and now it finally gets its’ chance we can surrender to its’ tympani-led Spectorian glory and its’ indie-Motown quirks, discreet strings and off-kilter Velvets’ guitars. Or, as Jason so cogently puts it: “I feel fine in your company, even when we sit silently”. An observation with which this writer can only concur.
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There’s also the LONG THROW SPECIALIST remix included for our delectation and while re-arranging something as blissful as “It’s Getting Light…” seems rather surplus to requirements, its’ lunch date with glitches, breakbeats, OMD-style synths and the dancefloor is a dalliance one can surely indulge in without feelings of guilt lingering indefinitely and while this reshaping is ultimately a luxury item, it’s not devoid of quality either.
All of which adds up to another pleasant surprise from a band who are becoming skilled at doling them out on their own terms.
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