Clearlake - Islington Academy, London, 14/7/2006
by Anthony Dhanendran
published: 26 / 8 / 2006
intro
Often underrated and having recorded just three albums in their seven years together, Clearlake recently played London's Islington Academy supporting the Rifles. Anthony Dhanendran sees them promise little and deliver a great deal
The Brighton-based four-piece Clearlake have been going for seven years. In terms of current indie music, that makes them venerable elder statesmen. Although their production rate of three albums in those seven years is slow by current standards, where bands seem to turn out a supposed masterpiece every few months. Despite their pedigree, they are here at the Islington Academy, supporting the Rifles, a band who promise much and deliver little. Clearlake, on the other hand, promise little and deliver a whole load of things. The first of their songs has them sounding like a low-rent Muse, which quickly morphs into a White Stripes/Strokes hybrid somewhere between the third and fourth tunes. If these bands were cricketers, the White Stripes would be Kevin Pietersen – brash foreigners with English connections, showy technique and heaps of talent. Clearlake, on the other hand, come across like England’s struggling batsman Ian Bell. They have all the talent, much more so than many other bands, but it doesn’t always come together quite as they’d like. That may be explained by the fact that they’re a man down tonight: “We’re usually a four-piece but we’re a three-piece tonight” explains front man Jason Pegg, adding: “It’s quite frightening.” They’re also messing with the set list, treating tonight as a warm-up gig, which, in a sense, it is. Meanwhile, the experimentation continues in their search to pick up on what makes other bands great. For the track 'Widescreen', off the latest album 'Amber', Clearlake head back to Muse’s spiritual forefathers Radiohead, to startling effect. Finally, the best song is saved for last. 'Let Go', a 2001 single, is faster and more punky, with shades of early Blur and even the Beatles (everybody’s spiritual forefathers) for good measure. In 2001, Clearlake were ahead of their time, but the then popular wisdom was that the guitar had had its day. But now guitars are back, and those old songs are still the best.
Picture Gallery:-
reviews |
Cedars (2003) |
Dark, mood-inducing indie rock on second album from Brighton's Clearlake, which, produced by former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde, "establishes them as serious contenders for the reclamation of classic English pop" |
Lido (2001) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Steve Harley - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart