Firebyrd - Gene Clark

Advantages: Vibrant, deep, colourful, meaningful
Disadvantages: None

...In 2001, Chris Clark released Clarence Park, a challenging I.D.M album that took the electronica movement by surprise. He would give birth to charismatic and soft piano pieces, light-hearted jubilative works and a very smart introduction to his trademark use of clichéd genres. In 2003, he would release a 6-track EP called Ceramics is the Bomb (Warp Records). This would be a turning point. He would expand his technique and deviate from the dance-like signatures. Tracks like The Gavel and Slow Spines would introduce technoid and hip-hop variations. His sound would grow deeper, more technical and mature. The same year, his full blown version of C.I.T.B would hit the stores. Empty the Bones of You is Chris Clark's best effort. I do not think he will be able to topple this with his upcoming 2006 release. Back in 2001, Chris was... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some really quite good songs
Disadvantages: Quite a few dull ones as well

...I’ve always thought of Gene as an OK indie band that rip off the Smiths quite a lot. Only I’m not a big fan of the Smiths so I’ve never really investigated them. However, when I asked my housemate Ian (Excelle) to give me a CD to review he shoved this into my waiting hand and reassured me “You may like it”. Let’s see if I will… * New Amusements * The album gets off to a good start with a slacker drumbeat/bass line with a few little synth noises. It slowly builds as several guitars come in with breathy vocals before finally exploding into a fast paced rock tune and then slows down again for the vocal. The song moves around between the various sections and despite the song being over six minutes long it never gets dull. High praise from me about an indie/Smithsish band! * Fighting Fit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Brilliant album
Disadvantages: Nothing

...Gene are quite a long running indie band. They have produced many albums to date, the most recent being ‘Revelations’, but I this may be their best. They are excellent live, so what’s this like? I love it. It has four singles on it – ‘Fighting Fit’, ‘Where Are They Now?’, ‘Speak To Me Someone’, and ‘We Could Be Kings’. But the album tracks are superb too. With 12 tracks in total, track 1 is a 6 minute instrumental track, which is brilliant and atmospheric to start with, an excellent build up. ‘Speak To Me Someone’ is probably the best track on the album, an extremely powerful track which makes you feel Martin Rossiter is giving it all straight from the heart. Other favourites of mine are ‘Save Me, I’m Yours’, ‘I Love You, What Are You?’ and ‘Voice Of The Father’, but all the tracks are classics, and I can’t really criticise any... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful