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

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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.