Clues: Clues

Clues at Noise Pop 2009, from the HAD Archive

We've been anxious to get our hands on Clues' self titled debut ever since we heard news of the band last winter. March's show at Noise Pop served to solidify our excitement, and when the middle of May came around, we snatched up a copy.

So what do we make of it? Well, in short, it's largely what we expected. Put differently: it's not a terribly surprising record, but it is a very good one. The lack of surprise lays somewhere in mastermind Alden Penner's style, which is so characteristic that it's difficult to change up. His distinctive vocals, the layered, percussive, lo fi sound, and the oddball lyrics all combine to create a record that is so similar in sonics to The Unicorns, that you wouldn't be mistake it for being a follow up.

That being said, Clues certainly has their own vibe, and one Unicorn does not make a pair. The Clues record is darker, more edgy, and more minor keyed than The Unicorns ever were. Even the record's most upbeat moments left us with something of a sense of unease that we couldn't exactly put our finger on. It felt remarkably distant and cold in a way that surprised us given the excitement and fun of the band's live show.

And in the end, that's what is missing from the record: the band's live sound. The show we saw in March at the Rickshaw was so full of life that it was like a cup overflowing. Every person in the room left wanting more, and doing so with a smile on their face. By contrast, the record is cold and disconnected. Our only hypothesis (and, to be frank, our hope) is that the record was made as the band were finding their feet, and that the next release will yield a bit more...soul?

Despite these shortcomings, the record is still unquestionably enjoyable. It's great to have some new material from Penner, and the fact that the band delivers so solidly in a live environment just serves to build the foundation of the songs. As the band embarks on their summer tour, we do have to say to you, dear reader: missing them would be a mistake.

mp3: Clues - Remember Severed Head

Clues play the Rickshaw Stop this Thursday.

Clues Mount Summer Tour, Returning To Rickshaw Stop In June

Picture from the HAD Archive

As we've mentioned before, Clues is on tap to release their self titled first record May 19th on Constellation Records. As such, it seems that they've planned an early summer tour, covering both coasts and most of the South. For us San Franciscans, that means a stop at the Rickshaw Stop on June 4th.

Frankly, we couldn't be more psyched. The band's show at Noise Pop was killer, and we're totally pumped that they decided to return to such an an intimate venue. What's more, the band will be supported by local faves Geographer and Birds And Batteries.

As we ramp up to the album release, we're getting more and more amped to hear the new material. This one's definitely not to miss!

mp3: Clues - Remember Severed Head

Clues Summer 2009 Dates
16 May Montreal, QC Ukranian Federation
21 May Toronto, ON Sneaky Dees
22 May Chicago, IL Schubas
23 May Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club
25 May Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
26 May Saskatoon, SK Amigos
27 May Calgary, AB Marquee
28 May Edmonton, AB Brixx
30 May Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret
31 May Victoria, BC Lucky Bar
1 Jun Seattle, WA Neumos
2 Jun Portland, OR Backspace
4 Jun San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
5 Jun Los Angeles, CA Echo
6 Jun Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar
9 Jun Dallas, TX The Loft
10 Jun Austin, TX Stubb's BBQ
11 Jun New Orleans, LA One-Eyed Jacks
12 Jun Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn
15 Jun Washington, DC Rock N Roll Hotel
16 Jun Philadelphia, PA The Barbary
17 Jun New York, NY Santos Partyhouse

Clues: New Videos, New Tracks, Record Release

The folks over at Video Marsh were kind enough to point us in the direction of a whole bunch of media coming down the wire for the upcoming self-titled Clues record (cover art above). You may recall that we really dug the band's set at Noise Pop, so we're psyched to see more material coming down the wire.





First off, the band has released two session videos via Silverlake Steps, where they perform the tracks "Perfect Fit" and "Remember Severed Head". The former has been available on the web for a while, whereas the latter has just been released (see below). These performances have a pretty standard "session" vibe, but it's nice just to see the band performing live.



As though that weren't enough to keep you satiated, Video Marsh has produced some awesome, intimate videos of Clues frontman Alden Penner performing solo for his grandmother. Here's what they had to say about the tracks:

"Alden lives in Montreal and doesn't get to visit his Grandmother very often, (she lives in Vancouver), so it was sort of a rare moment for him to be able to perform for her...You can also sort of hear her singing along during parts of 'Let's Get Strong'."

The clips are super ethereal, and really leave you with an odd feeling that is simultaneously intimate and completely detached. They have the vibe of being shot on an old Super 8 camera, but also have a fair bit of their own distinctive style.

On top of all those vids, Audio Video Radio also recently hosted a radio session with the band, which is definitely worth a listen. It features an interview with Alden Penner, as well as a few performances. We figure this should be more than enough to hold you over until the record's release next month.

Clues is out on May 19th

mp3: Clues - Remember Severed Head

Noise Pop 2009: Clues Played The Rickshaw Stop - Pictures, Review

The show from Clues last night at The Rickshaw Stop was simultaneously one of the most anticipated, and mysterious, of this year's Noise Pop festival. The Montreal band are the only project of Alden Penner since he departed the notorious Unicorns. Since the band made their debut last fall, there has been little-to-no news about their record, aside from one or two mp3s and feedback from fans who were at the shows. Well, HAD managed to catch the set at the Rickshaw last night, and suffice it to say that Clues are very much ready to deliver some amazing music.

Given that there was no prior exposure to most of the music played last night, it was a unique task for the band to deliver their set and at the same time drum up crowd enthusiasm. Remarkably, they did so with apparently very little effort: many of the songs were upbeat, danceable, and immediately accessible. What's more, the enthusiastic crowd was more than happy to embrace the set with open, dancing arms. That being said, the biggest reaction was undoubtedly for the lone mp3 released thus far, "Perfect Fit". We're guessing that once all the material gets out there, these shows will be nuts.

As for the band's sound, it was unquestionably louder, heavier, and synthier than the mp3 for "Perfect Fit". The band was constantly rotating instrumental duties, and it seemed that everyone on stage touched every instrument at some point during the set. That being said, it was very clearly Penner's show, with him singing lead on all but one of the songs, and having a significant swath of space from which to define his stage presence.

Many of the songs also wore Penner's influence on their sleeve, and we'd be lying if we didn't say that Clues seems to be a far more obvious legacy to The Unicorns than the other offshoot project Islands. Penner's vocals are so distinctive, his compositions so eclectic, and his stage presence so explosive yet edgy, that he can define a band just by being present on stage. What's more, it's clear that he was driving the arrangements, particularly in the encore with some of the less practiced material.

Obviously it's difficult to ultimately describe how a whole show's worth of material sounds live. That being said, the set by Clues last night was unquestionably fantastic. To be able to play a set of completely new material and suck in a sold out crowd is no small feat. What's more, Penner's legacy with The Unicorns is heavily lauded and scrutinized - delivering new material is always a questionable task that requires a gentle delivery.

Suffice it to say that Clues performed that delivery expertly: they've defined a sound that, while relying heavily on Penner's influence, is most certainly its own. Unicorns fans will definitely not be disappointed. More than that, we're guessing that they'll be more than pleasantly surprised that Penner and Co. have passed The Unicorns legacy to create something new, but equally great.

Many more photos at the HAD Archive.