By CLUAS Writers on Friday, December 12, 2008A review of Tony Christie's album 'Made in Sheffield'Review Snapshot: Medallion man steps out of comfort zone, and covers the Arctic Monkeys. "Made in Sheffield " is uneasy listening but it should be heard.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
 Full Review:Early noughties there was a vogue for people recycling American songs from the 40s. Rod Stewart, Boz Scaggs and Bryan Ferry... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Tuesday, November 11, 2008A review of the album 'I Never Thought This Day Would Come' by Duke Special
 Review Snapshot: While never consistently matching the dizzy heights of previous album 'Songs From The Deep Forest', Peter Wilson still makes a convincing tilt at the title of Ireland's Best Songwriter. A few Duke-Special-by-numbers numbers aside, mostly collaborations, his new album contains more of the same catchy, heartfelt piano-pop with which he's now synonymous. A consolidation, then.
The Cluas Verdict?... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Monday, November 10, 2008A review of the album 'Live in Japan' by Rodrigo y Gabriela
 Review Snapshot: The live CD may come across as canned, but watching the DVD really brings back some beautiful recollections of watching Rodrigo and Gabriela perform live. This is really worth buying if you're a budding Spanish-guitarist or want to look at just how passionate and measured Rod 'n' Gab still are about their music. Not groundbreaking as an album, but enjoyable as a memory.
The Cluas... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Monday, November 10, 2008A review of the album 'To Survive' by Joan as Police Woman
 Review Snapshot: Joan Wasser has musical smarts to die for but they're not that evident on "To survive". Never was the phrase "difficult second album" more appropriate.
The Cluas Verdict? 5 out of 10
Full Review:
Joan as Policewoman – she’s got impeccable credentials. Joan Wasser’s top of the table material. She’s in with the In Crowd, she goes where the In Crowd go. She has the look too, the kooky side of well groomed,... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Monday, October 20, 2008A review of 'Fight Like Apes & The Mystery of the Golden Medallion'
Review Snapshot: Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion is, to borrow a phrase from the funniest man on television, Jon Stewart, an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, nestled in a sesame seed bun of mystery. I hated it, I liked it, I loved it, I hated it again and then, when I thought I was falling in love one more time, something struck me and everything changed. Fight Like Apes have made a solid debut record. Indeed it will probably be one of the best records of the year and for that they should be commended. It’s just that I was expecting more than solid. I was expecting greatness.
The Cluas Verdict? 8... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Tuesday, October 07, 2008A review of the album 'Snowflake Midnight' by Mercury Rev
 Review Snapshot: One-time experimental mavericks from upstate New York return with a departure in sound, but find themselves stuck on repeat, peddling their same optimistic and wide-eyed view of the world. Dressed up in a shiny new electronic suit it may be, it’s merely ‘The Secret Migration’ with beats. Where has the magic gone?
The Cluas Verdict? 2 out of 10
Full Review:
This is not Mercury Rev. That much we know since the... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Saturday, September 20, 2008A review of the album 'Pacific Ocean Blue' by Dennis Wilson
 Review Snapshot: Dennis Wilson was the handsome Beach Boy - he had the musical smarts but they were sidelined till 1977 with the release of "Pacific Ocean Blue", his debut album. It's hit and miss but the hits really hit.
The Cluas Verdict? 6.5 out of 10
Full Review:
1977 - the worst thing about being 17 back then was hearing Janis Ian’s “at 17”. I hated this little whinge of a song but I suffered it because every girl... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Saturday, September 20, 2008A review of the album 'Limbo, Panto' by Wild Beasts
 Review Snapshot: 'Limbo, Panto', the debut album from British band, Wild Beasts, a theatrically over the top record about sex, sin and struggling soccer teams. A genuinely strong and enjoyable debut.
The Cluas Verdict? 7.5 out of 10
Full Review:
At first listen, you would be forgiven for thinking that Wild Beasts were a satirical cover band of The Smiths... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Monday, September 15, 2008A review of the album Here Is What Is by Daniel Lanois
Review Snapshot:Here Is What Is is a weak record by acclaimed producer Daniel Lanois. Failed attempts at being 'artsy' and an overly long running time make this a wearisome listen.
The Cluas Verdict?5 out of 10
 Full Review:
Daniel Lanois made his name producing for big name artists over the last few decades. He has worked with Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel,... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Sunday, September 14, 2008A review of the debut album by The Gorgeous Colours
 Review Snapshot: The debut from the Dublin-based four-piece is a solid, likeable indie-rock artifact. There’s nothing that’ll frighten the horses and it’ll sound satisfactory from a summer stage.
The Cluas Verdict? 6.5 out of 10
Full Review:
Many Irish indie fans first came across The Gorgeous Colours as the support act at shows by The Immediate,... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Monday, September 08, 2008A review of the album 'The Hare's Corner' by Colm Mac Con Iomaire
 Review Snapshot: The solo project of trad-meets-world from the Frames violinist is well-played and thoughtfully crafted throughout. But you yearn for a spark of electricity to liven up the unrelenting politeness of the whole affair. By no means a bad record – just uneventful and ultimately featureless. Let this hare sit.
The Cluas Verdict? 6 out of 10
Full Review:
The first... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Saturday, September 06, 2008A review of the album 'Sinatra at The Sands' by Frank Sinatra
Review Snapshot: 'Sinatra at the Sands': the world's most famous performer recorded at his peak.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
Full Review:
 It’s an approximation of a Sinatra story I heard but it’s still worth telling. Glen Campbell was a much sought after session guitarist in the sixties, and he even played on the incomparable “Pet Sounds”. He was engaged to play guitar on “Strangers in the night”,... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Wednesday, August 27, 2008A review of the DownloadMusic.ie USB Compilation (Various artists)
Review Snapshot: Possibly the most difficult album I’ve ever had to review for CLUAS, Downloadmusic.ie’s first ever USB Compilation Album also turned out to be one of the most rewarding, proving, for the most part, that Irish music is in good shape.
The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10
Full Review:
For me, great albums have always told a story; each song being delicately structured to fit snugly into the ebb and flow of the overall musical tapestry... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Saturday, August 23, 2008A review of the album 'The Stand Ins' by Okkervil River
 Review Snapshot:With their name lifted from a short story by a Russian writer and their albums to date smothered by literary references, there's no doubting Okkervil River aren't your average Texan band. On this their sixth album (not including last year's free, online only 'Golden Opportunities') the band take a side-step rather than the much anticipated giant stride both lyrically and musically.
The Cluas Verdict? 7.5 out of 10
Full Review:... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Sunday, August 17, 2008A review of the album 'At Mount Zoomer' by Wolf Parade
 Review Snapshot: Wolf Parade's follow-up to their glorious debut, ‘Apologies To The Queen Mary’, is a brave comeback by the Canadian indie five-piece, but it falls short of its predecessor by some distance. Unfortunately the high points of the record are undermined and outnumbered by the low ones, making for a bit of a mixed bag. First-time listeners to this band may find the album an exhilarating experience, but those who have been exposed to the quality... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Tuesday, August 05, 2008A review of the latest Sigur Ros album
 Review Snapshot: Sigur Ros do branch out somewhat but in my eyes it's not in a bad way. I've seen some indifferent reviews but I challenge anyone to listen to Ára bátur and not be moved. Get the album, on CD not mp3, stick it on in a darkened room and enjoy.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Tuesday, August 05, 2008A review of Fleet Foxes debut album  Review Snapshot: Fleet Foxes have emerged from the crowded ranks of Seattle’s indie music scene with an uncompromisingly indulgent debut of the same. Glorious vocal harmonies accompanied by rousing, anthemic instrumental pieces combine to result in one of the great... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 A review of the album Ritual by Jape
Review Snapshot: Things could have gotten very quiet for Jape in the last few years, but Ritual will be banishing any barren times for Richie Egan. Not a perfect album, but a magnificent one nonetheless. If music was food, Ritual would satisfy more tastes than most.
The Cluas Verdict? 8.5 out of 10
Full Review:
It’s been four years since Richie ‘Jape’ Egan cemented his place amongst Ireland’s new breed of gifted songwriters with second album, The Monkeys In The Zoo... Read More »
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By CLUAS Writers on Saturday, July 26, 2008A review of the album 'Year Of The Husband' by The Dudley Corporation
 Review Snapshot: The Dublin trio return at last, bringing us a mixed bag of well-written alt-pop songs (yay!) filled out with Radiohead-style post-rock noodling (nay!). Likeable and interesting, it’ll charm you at times – but you’ll hardly get swept off your feet.
The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10
Full Review:
The more sentimental indie fans among you may find it charming that The Dudley Corporation story has gone from... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Thursday, June 26, 2008 A review of the album Explode From The Center by Rubies
Review Snapshot: Swedish (we think) five-piece debut with a sound collection of works that - regretfully - seem too comfortable in their own skin to reach out and engage the listener in an anotherwise worthwhile listen.
The Cluas Verdict? 5.5 out of 10
Full Review:
Rubies are a five-piece built around the longstanding pair of Simone Rubi and Terri Loewenthal, and while all of their promotional material manages to avoid details of their... Read More »
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By CLUAS Writers on Monday, June 23, 2008A review of the album I'm Not Entirely Clear How I Ended Up Like This by Michael Knight
Review Snapshot: Don't judge a book by a cover, or so older wiser people tend to tell you. However, what are you to do when the cover is far more interesting than the content?
The Cluas Verdict? 3 out of 10
Full Review:
Buying/receiving albums in bulk; it can often be weeks/months/years before I get around to actually removing them from their packaging, never mind listening to them.  Sometimes... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Friday, May 23, 2008A review of the album 'Moment of Forever' by Willie Nelson
Review Snapshot:
The last wise man of country music delivers the goods yet again.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
Full Review:
Johnny is gone; Waylon is gone, only Willie is left. It’s hard to conceive now, given his superstardom, but Willie Nelson spent 15 years in Nashville trying in vain to get a hit record before throwing in his hat and returning to Texas where he finally started to create music that was not only true... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Thursday, May 15, 2008A review of the album Pleasant Squares by Robotnik
Review Snapshot: Pleasant Square is a sonic walkabout that takes in influences as diverse as Radiohead and The Flaming Lips without ever losing its own sense of identity or purpose.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
Full Review:
It must be very difficult being a musician and having a wide range of influences and yet being forced to stick to one particular genre for a record just so people like myself can put you away in a nice little box marked 'sounds like...'. ... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Wednesday, May 14, 2008A review of the album 'The Age Of The Understatement' by The Last Shadow Puppets
 Review Snapshot: So here's Alex Turner's side project: a fairly unoriginal Scott Walker pastiche, with Duran Duran-esque lyrics. Of course, this must be down to that bloody Miles Kane, right?
The Cluas Verdict? 5 out of 10
Full Review:
Comparing The Last Shadow Puppets with The Raconteurs... Read More » |
By CLUAS Writers on Wednesday, May 14, 2008A review of the album Dog House Music by Seasick Steve
 Review Snapshot: The roughly recorded Dog House Music is a refreshing change from contemporary studio production. Its raw sounds are soaked in mud, sweat and clothed in hobo lyrics that grip you tightly with their simplicity.
The Cluas Verdict? 8 out of 10
Full Review:
There's something cuddly about Seasick Steve.
Complete... Read More » |