Customer Reviews

Bonfires on the Heath [Vinyl]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This, the newest Clientele album, is very nice, but unfortunately not as great as Strange Geometry or Suburban Light. Then again, not many albums are... This one is a solid effort, deserving of your time and attention. Though the album as a whole isn't as good, there are some tracks on par with their best work - try and listen to the opening track, I Wonder Who We Are, and track 3, Harvest Time (both available on the net as free downloads, which shouldn't be surprising, since they're also two of the best tracks here). Recommended for Clientele fans; if you haven't got their other albums, the aforementioned Suburban Light and Strange Geometry would possibly be better starting points.

Just in time for the fall, the Clientele's fourth full-length album brings more of the dusky, fragile dream-pop that they have perfected throughout the last decade. Yes, there are still long early-evening walks through the heather, lots of different types of light reflecting off of various objects, and general odes to all things pastoral (I could be wrong, but I don't believe there is a single Clientele song that doesn't mention trees or leaves). There is still Alastair Maclean's quintessentially English voice, and his deft, quietly jangly guitars, the subdued but steady rhythm section, and melancholy melodies that insinuate themselves into your brain, and nestle there to hibernate through the winter. Highlights include the spooky title track, "Never Anyone But You," "Jennifer & Julia," and "I Know I'll See Your Face."

So, if you like these guys, you will like this album, and if you're new to the band this is a decent place to start, but it may be hard to top their previous effort, God Save the Clientele or Suburban Light, their excellent debut collection. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Clientele is the way they synthesize decades of the very best of English pop and folk music, from early touchstones like the Fab Four, the Zombies and Syd Barrett, on through Nick Drake, XTC, The Lilac Time and the Smiths, to the more twee-leaning bedsit-poppers like the Field Mice and Felt, and even the shimmering Kiwi psychedelia of The Chills. So if you're a fan of any of those bands, this--as well as any of their other albums--is obviously recommended.

The Clientele could really be referred to as "Old Reliable." You can always count on them to put out a good record of mid-tempo moody tunes, but just don't expect them to step outside of their fairly narrow comfort zone. Bonfires is a very nice (and likely final) addition to a solid collection of Clientele records, but there isn't anything particularly new on this record. But frankly, if you're thinking about buying this album, you're not expecting anything new, are you? No, I didn't think so. This is a record for the fans, and if you're a fan, you'll dig it. If you're not a fan, check out one of their older (and more dynamic) records, like God Save the Clientele or Strange Geometry, which both manage to cover more ground while still being very much what the Clientele do.

Once again, here is some more awesome indie/pop from Brits, THE CLIENTELE. Frankly, I like this record more than their last effort, "God Save The Clientele". It is an amazing record, very deserving of five stars and certainly better than a lot of records that will undoubtedly be making year-end best album lists (this seems to be a reoccurring theme any year that the Clientele release an LP).

After listening to this record many times over the past 3 months and letting it seep in, I have really come to appreciate it. I think the title track is one of the most beautiful, autumnal "Baroque Pop" songs I've ever heard. Indeed, this LP is a "grower." (I wonder if this term is more prominent these days because people only listen to the singles and do not sit down and listen to records as a whole).

Overall, if you are a fan of the Clientele or indie/pop from the Merge or Elephant 6 crowds, you need to get this album. This a nearly flawless collection. Get it now!

Bonfires on the Heath is another excellent addition to the catalogue of an excellent band. Very autumnal, the album is the perfect companion for the fall months. But melancholy fall tracks like "Harvest Time" and "Bonfires on the Heath" aside, there is also enough here to keep listeners satisfied throughout the long haul. "I Wonder Who We Are" is a poppy, umtempo track, and one of the most enjoyable songs on the album. "Never Anyone But You" is a classic Clientele song in every way imaginable, complete with their signature hazy guitar work and evocative lyrics."Tonight" is a soft and pretty piano ballad the also stands as a highlight. Overall, Bonfires on the Heath is not groundbreaking, but over the years The Clientele have created a formula for success by continuously crafting beautiful, thoughtful britpop albums. Bonfires on the Heath certainly fits this description, and fans of the band should be extremely happy with this release.

because it is the same record by the same really good band who made "strange geometry," who, here, do the same banal song over and over again, and add a few odd horns a la their heroes LOVE and a few rare dissonant backwards guitar parts like their worst influence (Gaxalie 500) and it is time they broke up (they KNOW it; they ARE splitting) and i am so over them, these teabagging tweelings, and glad for them that they had the good sense to quit cause there is nothing nothing nothing there.

when they aped New Order on an EP a few years back i thought "ok, now they might Clientele-i-fy a new(ish) direction.

the relentless insipidity of "Bonfires" made me ANGRY as Johnny Rotten back-in-the-day.

the long-short (the c have put out too many records too fast) slide down started inconvertably rolling with "God Save the Clientele) and just tobagganed quickly towards the rubbish.

what a yawn-a-thon.

good riddance the clientele more like it. what a total rip off! WANT MY MONEY BACK, PLEASE! (youch!)