THE CLIENTELE: God Save the Clientele

Rating: 7.5/10

The first time I heard the Clientele, I was suspended in shimmering atmospheres: completely taken by the band's unusually dense alchemy of intense reverb and tremelos. The album I bought first was The Violet Hour, followed closely by Strange Geometry in 2005. All of their music to that point recalled similar themes of isolation and lost love, though certainly didn't lack lyrical brilliance and amazing guitar work. While my sentimental value for old Clientele is strong, I was prepared for a big change in their sound when I ventured to buy the new record, God Save the Clientele, last Tuesday.

The change isn't as dramatic as Clientele purists might fear. There's definitely more of a traditional feel to these songs, with a strong leaning on influences such as the Byrds and the Monkees. But, unlike classic Clientele, there is a jarring lack of consistency in these songs. The first half of the record is rock solid, but most of the last half is mediocre at best, with "Book Casanova" as a rare highlight. There is plenty of good material, especially "Here Comes the Phantom" and "I Hope I Know You." "Isn't Life Strange" is almost too somber, but its violins are beautiful, much like Strange Geometry's brilliant "I Can't Seem to Make You Mine."

While the production of God Save the Clientele is a bit over-done, it is definitely the work of a four-piece group rather than a three-piece. There are more strings, pianos, and horns than usual, which allows for more layers, but less mystery. The subtle production tricks of Suburban Light and The Violet Hour are infinitely more interesting. But, the dream-like effects still shimmer like looming lampshades on a dark London street corner. In the end, this record will stand as a welcome addition to the Clientele's nearly perfect catalog. But, I think I'll keep primarily listening to their old stuff, after I digest this one a little more.