Tag: Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns and Shortwaves

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Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “Without A Safety Net”

With a light, contemporary touch, the Danish indie-pop group improves upon their distinctive blend of ’60s jangle and ’90s alt-pop throughout the course of twelve songs sounding a bit like early Belle & Sebastian and The Merrymakers crossed with Crowded House. Rick Kingo’s friendly vocals and energetic guitar flourishes establish the tone for the opening track “Strange Boy.” Compared to the band’s previous albums, this one has greater polish and heart.

The bright jangle pop of “Anywhere is Home” is balanced by the heavier “Tight Ship” and “Flavour of the Month.” The songs are melodious, and boast solid, soulful guitar work. Another standout is “Behind the Waterfall (Ayayahoo)” with its playful bouzouki and infectious Irish rhythm. While every song doesn’t always hit the mark, a solid majority do, and it ends strongly with the anthemic “Reset the Sun” and the David Gilmour-ish “Dawn’s First Light.” Highly Recommended.

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Shortwaves

Shortwaves “Mental Health in the Information Age”

Dallas indie pop band Shortwaves gets the message out right away on “Creative Juices.” Lead singer Joe Holbrook chimes in, “Creative juices, I can’t break free. And when I’m six feet underground I’ll leave behind these words and sounds.” The punchy guitars, catchy choruses, and synths pay homage to ’90s alt and ’80s new wave while talking about stress, loneliness, and the search for meaning in the face of modern mental stress.

“DBA” captures the dogged determination required to pursue a music “career,” and it’s a strong melodic gem that boasts excellent riffs. The catchy “The Information Age” serves as a study in perpetual distraction from our modern quest for knowledge. The buzzing “History Man” recalls Weezer, with it’s nostalgic groove and mocking lyric. Loaded with tight, concentrated arrangements and piercing guitar riffs, it’s easy to forget that it’s a contemplation on exhaustion, aspiration, triumphs and tragedies. The quick punk-inspired “Won’t Be Ignored” and awesome instrumental “Dances With Cats” dazzles. It does have a little filler, but mostly this is a solid polished gem that resonates. Highly Recommended.

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Del Amitri and Caper Clowns

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Del Amitri

Del Amitri “Fatal Mistakes”

If you only know band Del Amitri from their big hit single “Roll to Me,” then you should recognize they are a more talented band than their one-hit-wonder status would suggest. And considering it’s been 19 years since the last album, they sound damn good. Lead singer Justin Currie’s vocal hasn’t lost its power and the songwriting is sharp and insightful.

The opening track “You Can’t Go Back” is a reminder that they’ve still got some magic left. “Losing the Will to Die” is another highlight that clicks wells, and proves that the band’s melodies still resonate. But it’s the sobering mature topics; the bitterness in “Musicians and Beer” and the wry sadness of “Otherwise” that dominates the album. There are a few bouncy moments with “It’s Feelings,” but most songs lack the hooks needed to make it essential. Fans will still enjoy this album, but newbies will want to pick up Hatful of Rain first.

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Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “Abdicate the Throne”

Denmark’s Caper Clowns has been a consistently great band over the years. Often characterized as a cross between The Merrymakers and Crowded House, the band continues to expand its sound on its third album. Opening with the wistful rocker “Pineapple Songs” it does a fine job, and the bouncy “CAPS LOCK ON” is a story about the anxiety of life online. The lovely “Bonsai Tree” moves from conventional to great with a swaying chorus chock full of sweet chord changes.

But these Clowns expand their sound, loving the piano-led gem “Be There (The Ever-Changing Tone)” as each vocalist (all four of them) brilliantly harmonizes. And the hooks are all over “April Fool,” another great single. And these dudes rock out on “In Your Kaleidoscope” or can get dramatic and spacey for “Under Your Command.” Each track offers something interesting, like the ELO-like ballad “Valley of the Queens.” Overall, there is more than enough variety here to please the most discriminating pop fan. Highly Recommended.

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Caper Clowns and The Persian Leaps

powerpopaholic
Caper Clowns

Caper Clowns “A Salty Taste To The Lake”

Caper Clowns are a band from Ferritslev, Denmark, and their sunny debut The Buca Bus came out in 2016. The band is Rick Kingo, Peter Højgaard, Christian Højgaard, Henrik Krogh and Søren Daugaard Jensen. Rick, Peter, and Henrik play multiple instruments, and the songwriting is spread out amongst everyone. The group doesn’t suffer from the sophomore slump and has been firing on all cylinders. In addition, the band has played at the IPO Festival in Liverpool at the Cavern Club these past 2 years.

The opener “The Way I Dream” is a wonderfully catchy composition, with its bouncy rhythm it sets the stage nicely. In contrast, “Lifeline” adds some darker guitar riffs but the chords change to sunshine by the end of the harmony-filled chorus. The Caper Clowns biggest strength is its diverse sound akin to The Wellingtons or Roger Joseph Manning Jr. The light acoustic guitar of “Kissing Daylight” is a winner, as well as the Squeeze-like magic of “Pretty & Underwear.” The album is both unpredictable and refreshing without a single filler track. Overall a great album that gets a top ten best nomination for 2018.

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The Persian Leaps

The Persian Leaps “Pop That Goes Crunch!”

The Persian Leaps from Saint Paul, Minnesota has released this massive 18-song anthology presenting their best work over the years, remastered and remixed. The songs are full of blistering riffs and jangle-pop harmonies, selected by lead vocalist Drew Forsberg and producer Neil Weir. If you are unfamiliar, it will totally appeal to fans of Guided by Voices, The Smiths and Teenage Fanclub.

My favorites here include the very GBV-styled “Fire Starter” and “Picture My Reaction.” The catchy fuzz-guitar dominates most songs, and at times the tracks seem to blend together – but there is enough distinction on several standouts like “About The Lions,” and “Truth=Consequences.” The brand-new track “Time Slips” is a nostalgic song that Forsberg wrote in memory of his grandparents. Overall an excellent compilation that is highly recommended.

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