Clearlake, Cedars

In a music scene littered with social commentry of everyday life i.e. Streets, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Rakes. Clearlake for me are The Shining but rough gem in the crown. As apposed to the 'im off to the shops to buy some milk' or big brothers prestons 'fax machines n computer screens', Clearlake deal with everyday British life with the touching brilliance that is remoniscent of The Kinks and Small Faces. Creating imagery of particular wit and beauty. Vocals sound slightly like 'modern life is rubbish era blur' as do some of the melodies but without the chimney sweeping melodies or carry on humour and all for the better i believe. For me this is what the Kaiser Chiefs could never amount to.

Clearlake, Cedars - I found this quite interesting. I bought it as a result of a glowing newspaper review, having nothing else to go on. Initially I found the singer's voice clear but annoying, as he threw in sudden changes of key for no apparent reason, except to make listening more demanding. In time I have grown to like it more.

I liked "Trees In The City" straight off (and chose it for my funeral selection), but discovered then that the song didn't work in isolation - it needed all the preceding weird songs to make it stand out. Subsequent plays have promoted "I Wonder If It Will Snow This Winter" to favourite. I am still working on the other tracks, but actually look forward to playing the CD now.