The Claudettes Go Out!
Forty Below, 2022
9/10
Listen to The Claudettes Go Out!
The Claudettes, i.e. Berit Ulseth (vocals), Zach Verdoorn (bass, guitar, vocals), Johnny Iguana (piano, keyboards, vocals, snapping), and Michael Caskey (drums, percussion, snapping, shouting) return for a batch of celebratory songs that are quite diverse and exciting.
“A Lovely View” starts the listen with warm piano and gorgeous singing, as soft melodies populate the heartfelt approach, and “Park Bench” follows with an upbeat and flowing spirit that welcomes Jim Cooper’s string arrangements, Andra Kulans’ violin and viola, Nora Barton’s cello and Anthony Gravino’s acoustic guitar.
Halfway through, “Time Won’t Take Our Time Away” comes with a playful and dreamy appeal that’s as charming as it is memorable, while “The Waves” recruits an intimate spirit to its shimmering textures of sublime introspection.
Approaching the end, “Cowboy” is full of a frisky rhythm that you could dance to, and “The Show Must Go On (And Then The Show Must End)” exits with a full and loud presence that’s soulful, anthemic and the perfect way to finish a superb record.
The band have come along way since their inception as the duo of Caskey and Iguana, and their piano fueled, powerful roots meets pop formula sounds better than ever across these very striking tunes.
Travels well with: The Claudettes- High Times In The Dark; Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up