2018-04-04
Over the course of their three-disc career the Claudettes have evolved from a piano and drum instrumental duo to a four- piece featuring piano, drums, bass, guitar and vocals from three members. While the instrumentation is still spare with a blues punk foundation the fuller sound gives the band room to explore more territory. With singer Berit Ulseth channeling Exene Cervenka of X or Natalie Merchant and the males vocalists (Johnny Iguana and Zach Verdoorn) adding lower register grit, the band powers through art-rock," November", rock, "Don’t Stay With Me" and "Naked On the Internet" and pop, "Pull Closer To Me" and "Give It All Up For Good". The title track is a rocking instrumental while "Bill Played Saxophone" recalls mid-60’s Brit-pop with its soaring harmonies and "Influential Farmers" and "Utterly Absurd" each venture into psychobilly territory with their stop/go rhythms and mash-up of vocals and instruments. No scandal here. This is great stuff. Smitty
review by Mark
Brooks Long & The Mad Dog No Good
Mannish Boys
Georgie Bonds
Hit It Hard
Sugar King James and the Chess Masters
Tru Blu Mud - A Tribute To Muddy Waters
MARCIA BALL
TATTOOED LADY AND THE ALLIGATOR MAN
Big James and the Chicago Playboys
The Big Payback
SUGAR RAY AND THE BLUETONES FEATURING LITTLE CHARLIE
TOO FAR FROM THE BAR
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.