Through the Veil

Claytown Troupe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 1990)
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00008FKCV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Claytown Troupe, April 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Through the Veil (Audio CD)

" They certainly don't waste any time , do they? Following hard on the stomping heels of fabulous debut single, 'Prayer', and inspirational current 45 'Hey Lord', Claytown Troupe hit us with their eagerly-awaited debut LP. And with a few minor reservations, 'Through The Veil' is everything I could have hoped for, given the early promise of the singles and the live shows. Forget all the fatuous U2 and Cult comparisons.

Bono couldn't hope to be as passionately energising as vocalist Christian in his wildest, wettest dreams. Nah, the Troupe are ROCKERS! Side One is all the proof you'll ever need.

Groove-upon-groove of dangerously combustible mood-swinging pulse disruptions. Five genuine killer tracks all in a row, with no let up and no room to breathe or wipe that fevered brow. Don't they have any mercy? 'Prayer' and 'Hey Lord' need no introduction, but 'Alabama'? Well, I'd love to tell you all about 'Alabama' if only I could sit still long enough to type the words!

This is the sort of classic Rock tune that has you diving 'round the living room yelping out the chorus with psychotic glee. Listen and marvel as mild-mannered guitarist Ben Bennett turns into a vicious riff hungry monster for 'Real Life' in sharp contrast to the jangling simplicity of the eddying melodies that swirl through 'Wonder'. 'Bury My Heart' closes Side One with yet another compulsive chorus and some poignant 'miss you' lyrics.

Producer Ralph Jezzard's knob-twiddling prowess allows the band to sustain their hyper-energised, near-brutal bombast whilst maintaining the utmost clarity. A relief, considering how many promising debuts have been ruined at the mixing desk.

All-in-all, a fine debut. The next one will probably be a work of genius. Lord knows, this little offering comes pretty damn close at times. "

4.0 out of 5 stars "The perfect rock band" - NME, October 28, 2008

By 

Sera69 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Veil (Audio CD)

Formed in Bristol in 1984 by lead singer Christian Riou (who claimed in a 2004 interview that a famous local clairvoyant advised him to form a band called the Clayton Troop!), Claytown Troupe was an Alt-Rock act touted as a cross between The Cult's fake rock and the authentic crusty rock of Pop Will Eat Itself and Crazyhead. In truth there was more to them than that and they suffered much in coming from England at a time of 'Crusty'; a time when high expectations in Rock, and Rock itself, were generally frowned upon.

By 1986 they had an accomplished yet chaotic live show which earned them an exciting reputation on the underground scene. Signed to Island in 1988 this Ron Fair and Ralph Jezzard produced debut was universally well received yet only made it to a criminally underrated number 74 in the album charts.

'Through The Veil' shares The Cult's sensibilities for anthemic rock bluster coupled with a tinge of indigenous Americana and everyman lyrics: "If I could drink the world dry, then I could maybe cry." It has a genuine atmosphere to it and sounds unlike anyone else, either then or now; there is a swagger and confidence on this album that promised great things and a stadium rock future.

What followed was a string of high profile tours and excellent releases. The Claytown's played the Marquee, Astoria and the Town & Country Club and supported The Cult on the 'Sonic Temple' tour, Pearl Jam, The Wonder Stuff, The Damned, Julian Cope, Jesus Jones and The Mission.

Switching labels to EMI Records in the 90's Claytown Troupe cut their next album, the excellent 'Out There', with David Bianco producing at the Hit Factory, New York. They toured Britain in 1992 with Terrorvision supporting and subsequently opened for Seattle behemoth's Pearl Jam (It had been arranged the other way round with PJ to support CT but the Grunge kings were kind of riding the whirlwind in '92.) Unfortunately, the band folded when, after parting company with EMI, drummer Andy Holt and bassist Paul Waterson made their exit.

Recently (2004), the band returned to the UK music scene, Christian Riou and Rick Williams being joined by original bassist Chris Sharp plus new members Clive Murray on guitar and drummer Dan Roth. The reformed band headlined the Whitby Goth festival in 2004 to good overall reviews mixing old songs from their two previous albums with newer material. And this year (2007) there have been stirrings of more new material and possible shows with Christian teaming up with Ben Christo (current Sisters Of Mercy guitarist) for rehersals. Check the bands myspace site for further info.