High Times In The Dark
Forty Below, 2020
9/10
Listen to High Times In The Dark
The Claudettes impressed me with 2018’s Dance Scandal At The Gymnasium, and this 5th album from the Chicago outfit brings another impressive handful of their self-described ‘garage cabaret’.
“Bad Babe Losin’ Touch” starts the listen with bright keys from Johnny Iguana, as well as playful rhythm and retro nods in the soulful setting, and “24/5” continues the fun with a rollicking piano fueled adventure where Berit Ulseth’s vocals soar high.
Closer to the middle, “Grandkids, Wave Bye-Bye” bounces with plenty of melody in the breezy, bluesy atmosphere, while “One Special Bottle”, the album highlight, then charms us with piano acrobatics amid a timeless energy. “I Don’t Do That Stuff Anymore” then brings us a duet with some folk qualities and both strong wordplay and percussion.
Deeper into the listen, “You Drummers Keep Breaking My Heart” offers expressive singing alongside moments of crunchy rock as Ulseth hits some pretty high notes, and the ballad, “The Sun Will Fool You”, finishes the listen emotive and restrained with just a piano guiding the warm exit.
Grammy winner Ted Hutt produced the effort and it sounds as great as you’d imagine as he captured their vintage appeal perfectly, clearly illustrating that The Claudettes’ blues, jazz, R&B, pop, and rock’n’roll hybrid has never sounded better.
Travels well with: Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up; Greyhounds- Cheyenne Valley Drive