The Claudettes – Go Out – album review

With a title that reflects the long yearned for post pandemic freedom, Chicago’s The Claudettes have once again hit the mother lode with a selection of new songs packed with the extraordinary musicianship I’ve come to expect from Johnny Iguana and co. The ten songs on Go Out pack an hefty emotional punch too, by virtue of the elegantly alluring and impassioned vocal delivery from Berit Ulseth.

Go Out opens in style with a song of unrequited desire and love, the subject of the desirous affection observed from afar. Berit’s wistfully plaintive vocal delivered atop an equally melancholic melody driven by Johnny’s heart-rending piano playing, Michael Caskey and Zach Verdoorn layering gloriously textured instruments to create an incandescently pulsating climax.

The tone and mood lifts immediately with the jauntily spirited introduction to Park Bench, a certain longing within the daydream quality of the lyrics, complemented perfectly by strings courtesy of Jim Cooper, Andra Kulans & Nora Barton, and additonal acoustic guitar from Anthony Gravino adding to the uplifting nature of the melody.

The American Sky feels like a comment on American patriotism, which could be reflected similarly the world over, especially in these divided nations. The lyrics carefully not revealing one side, as the gap between “sides” gets ever wider – “And he detests the opposing view” – while proclaiming the view of the narrator to be the most AMERICAN! (Relatable in the UK since Brexit too). Musically, the song puffs its metaphoirical chest in defiance, while the melody soars skyward with Berit’s magnificent vocal.

Dozing in the Crypt has Johnny leading the charge with a thundering piano riff, powerfully compelling, the urgency of the driving rhythm belies the denial of the subject of the song, while there is a bittersweetness about Time Won’t Take Our Time Away. Musically, there is a initially a feeling of sorrow, as the songs builds to its conclusion, this sorrow turns to an air of celebration. The lyrics giving an indication of loss and regret that there will be no opportunity to make new memories, but the ones we have we should treasure forever, never forgetting the good times.

Many of the songs on Go Out seem to be a metaphor for life, The Waves is a case in point, Berit singing about wanting to be the waves rather than the beaten, battered and ignored shore. I’m sure, like many of us, Johnny spent a lot of lockdown reflecting on life. The songs on Go Out really do reflect that, with many of them tinged with a wry sense of humour, like in the laid back groove of There’s Too Much Affection in This World.

As if these first seven songs weren’t enough, there is a lot to be said for keeping your best until last. The potent propelling dynamism of Exposure is another example of dark dry humour used in the songwriting, a commentary on the music industry with an exasperated groan of “people die from exposure” bringing a sardonic grin my face, the song is “over” everything, one thing it isn’t is overblown though.

Following that is penultimate song Cowboy, possibly my favourite song on the album. The clever lyrical couplets seem to be tongue in cheek, but with an element of dark reality seeping in. Berit sings of the joys of drinking, above everything, including giving up music before alcohol… Musically, guitar riffs complement Johnny’s exquisite piano perfectly, while Berit’s angelic vocal soars above.

Talking of soaring angelic vocals, the album ends on a high with the apt The Show Must Go On (And Then the Show Must End) which seems initially both clear in its message, but then you listen again and you wonder if their is a double meaning to the song…The layering of the instruments is epic, building to a booming pounding beat before reaching what is both an abruptly sudden but wholly expected halt.

Another triumphant release from The magnificent Claudettes.

Unfortunately, despite several online conversations (prior to the pandemic) when Johnny expressed a desire to bring The Claudettes to these shores, I fear the costs of doing so in the current climate may be crippling. Maybe one day The Claudettes will Go Out in Scotland?