THE CLAUDETTES

DANCE SCANDAL AT THE GYMNASIUM

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

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 05/2012

    TORONZO CANNON
    Leaving Mood

  • reviewed 08/2009

    JENNI MULDAUR
    DEAREST DARLIN'

  • reviewed 11/2017

    Peter Ward
    Blues On My Shoulders

  • reviewed 06/2011

    HADDEN SAYERS
    Hard Dollar

  • reviewed 10/2013

    DANA FUCHS
    BLISS AVENUE

  • reviewed 01/2011

    REVEREND RAVEN AND THE CHAIN SMOKIN' ALTER BOYS
    SHAKE YOUR BOOGIE

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

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.