The Claudettes
Two of my favourite TV shows in recent years have been Tremé & Twin Peaks. The former telling the tragic, but in some ways uplifting stories of those affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Largely ignored and forgotten by the government leaving them to rebuild their lives themselves. The latter being the return of the strange world created by the mind of David Lynch.
So why do I mention these here? After all this isn’t a TV review.
Music for New Orleans or perhaps the Bang Bang Club?
Let me explain. I have been listening to a new album Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium this week. It is the latest album from Chicago’s The Claudettes. The album is an eclectic mix of dreamy melodic vocals, intelligent lyrical observations, harmonies, bluesy guitar blended with jazz sensibilities with an added edge, and the backbone throughout the album of accomplished, determined driving piano. The main theme throughout Tremé was that what held a lot of folks together after Katrina was the tradition of family, music and food. On the TV, the music included in the show really stood out and I could easily imagine The Claudettes performing their unique blend of aforementioned styles in any of the bars and venues in New Orleans.
Similarly, anyone that follows Lynch/Twin Peaks knows how important music is to him and the feel of his shows. One of the things that really worked in the original series was the amazing Julee Cruise and score by Angelo Badalamenti. During the most recent series, at the end of each show there was a band performing a sing in the Bang Bang Bar a fairly eclectic mix of styles, but again if I close my eyes I can see The Claudettes performing on the self-same stage. There were moments in Twin Peaks return that I sat and wondered what the hell I had just seen. I had similar experiences listening to The Claudettes – What on earth did I just hear? I am happy to report that these were positive “what the fuck” moments.
Something for Everyone
Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium is a joy to behold and highlights one of the reasons why I don’t like to pigeon-hole my taste in music or get tied down to following one specific genre/style (screw labels!). If I did, I may not have ever had the opportunity to get my ears around this lot.
Highlights in a highlight filled album?
In an album full of highlights it is difficult to pick out my stand-out tracks, but I’ll try…
I’ll start with the title track, starting out with sinister insistent bass piano parts & strident brooding treble, building with vocal harmonies, adding drums, throbbing guitar while developing the piano into a stomping eminently danceable tune before fading back out again. Tremendous.
Two other stand-out tracks in the album for me both have relevant commentary on the way of the world politically and socially. Bill Played Saxophone and the other with a more relevant just now than ever subject matter, Naked on the Internet. Thoughtful songs, but not just that, they have thoughtful, intelligent, intricate layered tunes to go with the lyrics. The album has a great mix of subject matter for the songs – touching character stories alongside comments on politics and social issues.
Eclectic
Actually, who am I trying to kid by trying to list the standout tracks. Every track is a stand-out in its own way. How can you compare songs that hit you with dreamy vocal harmonies at one moment, rocking New Orleans Rhythm and Blues the next, in your face searing punk-like guitars another, with a bit of rockabilly/psychobilly, boogie-woogie and jazz thrown in for a bit of added spice and then try to say any one is better than the other!
From first song to last, the whole album is masterful. Don’t Stay with Me opens the album with a piano refrain that sticks in your head adding drums, crying guitar and wistful vocals.
Through tracks like November with delicate opening on the ivories, angelic melody and through the song adding what becomes a familiar and welcome driving piano sound underpinning the album. Death & Traffic a touchingly beautifully played tale of yearning for positivity in the world instead of having to explain the constant reporting of death and tragedy to your children. Pull Closer to M that draws you in to its aching beauty and one-ness. Total Misfit celebrating being a square peg in a round hole with the core piano and drums sound and some vital intricate guitar parts. And Taco Night Material with its boogie-woogie piano and brushed drums that has your feet tapping.
Utterly Absurd?
The last song on the album is Utterly Absurd. No the song isn’t utterly absurd, that’s what it’s called. Maybe you’ve read this review and think that is how the eclectic mix of the styles on this album would sound, but believe me, it works. In bucket loads. Like many songs on this album (Give it All Up for Good, Naked on the Internet), this song, as I have done on blogs in the past, laments some of the problems of the modern world, on this song the instantaneous nature of accessing information and what it has resulted in. Listen to the lyrics.
What a listen. I have done over and over. In fact as I finish this review I’m in the kitchen making dinner and dancing to the title track. If you aren’t shattered with a huge grin on your face after listening to this album, you haven’t been listening hard enough.
I’m off to investigate their back catalogue…
The details…
The album comes out in Europe/UK on 20th April via Continental Record Services.
Find the band on bandcamp
You can find The Claudettes online here. They are also on Facebook.