Cling .|: Beyond Your Dreams (Video Review +)

In 2006, I critiqued Cling... 

Cling ~ "Sonic Spells" EP
Sonic Spells" is extraterrestrial aping electro-pop. Much like my prior victimization in several alien invasions, curiosity pushed me toward Cling, but slowly drained my life force (sorry, no probes). Cling are Susi Lavender (lyrics and vocals) and Gerald Patient (programming and production). The UK duo adds deliberate & liquidy cadences with heavily distorted warble. Before you form an opinion that Sonic Spell is an AcidPro-like production … their sound, on balance, renders quality programming/productions primed for college radio.In small strips, their output is absorbing. Over the course of a full length record, though, Cling's the similarity of the arrangements (particularly with non-remixed song versions) and tepid compositions troll along. The one exception is the finale. "Haunt You" (Trance Mix) works wonderfully as a Poe-like pulser. It startled me from my zombie-like hold and allowed me slip away from Cling's Sonic Spells invasion somewhat elated.

It felt like I cannonballed into SNL's "Deep House Dish".


Even though my review was harsh, Cling responded with grace. It stuck with me (even though I have the foggiest idea what was written). 

Cling just emailed me their new video the other day. Since I changed my website and stopped using my name, it is impossible for them to realize that I was the jackass that wrote them up in the past.
___________________________________________________


Their following is impressive. In less than a week "Beyond Your Dreams" amassed 4,000 views. Most indie artists have a hard time cracking 1,000 months after posted on YouTube. They even have a 264-0 like vs unlike rating -- the most I have seen without a thumbs down!

Apparently, with this track, Cling invented the genre, "chillstep". Gerald figured out how to coordinate a template to boost instead of drag Susi's hypnotic vocals. I did not think he had a chance.

Cling's vocal approach has over-saturated the market for many years and it is almost impossible to make a record sound good without being a total ripoff of another act. Gerald's perseverance and production wizardry has paid off. "Beyond Your Dreams" represents his stunning evolution. Also stunning is the track's representation in video.

There is nothing that appears indie about the "Beyond Your Dreams" music video. It is exquisitely shot and elevates the sonic experience. The intent of a music video is to quickly entice fans and potential fans stumbling on to it. Cling does so without cheap gimmicks like Goldfrapp [a relatively similar artist whose ELO ripoff is given a peculiar Satan visits Xanadu treatment] ...


If "Beyond Your Dreams" is not an aberration and represents Cling's current incarnation, then they have found their groove and will undoubtedly expand their audience.

Check out Cling's MySpace page!

(FYI: They frequently offer FREE downloads!)

Zen Boy and Karma Girl .|: Who They Are and How They Came to Be!

Zen Boy and Karma Girl represent folk music for the .mp3 generation. Their shtick revolves around being aliens (the outer space variety) commissioned to croon original folk compositions penned by their supercomputer. Yep, the conceptual package is absurd, but …

You would expect the sound to feature a lot of synth, maybe a robot voice here and there and random noise. Time to squash those preconceptions, Zen Boy and Karma Girl are a hybrid of traditional sing-along folk and early Belle and Sebastian. Who They Are and How They Came to Be! focuses on basic acoustics, quirky neo-classic melodies and precious harmonies.

Most neo-traditional folk groups don't croon about wearing the other gender's undergarments ("Copy") or dating a superhero ("Wonder Woman"), portray themselves as extraterrestrials or, most importantly, reach the musical heights that they do. Outside kitsch promotion, they are best represented by tremendous songwriting and storytelling.

At their best, Zen Boy and Karma Girl spin gold with melody, render helpless with delicious harmonies and cause a smirk and thought with provocative off-kilter lyrics. Highlighted examples include: “Copy”, “Two Monkeys”, “Wonder Woman” and “Madison”.

Make sure to check out this dynamic duo of next gen neo-traditional folk. Who They Are and How They Came to Be! capitalizes on their unique symbiosis.



 "Two Monkeys"

Maxwell Street Klezmer Band .|: Old Roots New World

Recently, I was introduced to klezmer music via Lori Lippitz's generous submission. Unknown at Old Roots New World receipt, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band is perched in the forefront of the Neo-Klezmer Movement. Yiddish Swing, jazz and early 20th Century pop are funneled through Gypsy big band arrangements -- consider music inspired by The Fiddler on the Roof performed with Squirrel Nut Zippers' grandiose yet loose technique.

Nearly every track is predominately instrumental. When vocals fade in, they are theatrically cabaret (and foreign). Those combined elements usually tend to create intolerable casual auditory experiences. However, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band's playfulness, grit, eclecticism and mojo blend into a snappy experience. Old Roots New World is extraordinary in its omneity rather than as individual tracks. However, worth crediting, is the amazing 17 and a half-minute closer, “Klezmer Rhapsody for Violin” -- the opus builds from almost a baroque introduction to what I swear was a trampy appropriation of “Hava Nagila” (or at least used as an inspiration) at the 12 minute plus point.

For the past couple of days, repeated spins of Old Roots New World are habit forming. Even though the music is Yiddish, it is also historically American; the cd feels like a recorded glimpse of a superb Brooklyn festival performance featuring immigrants celebrating the anticipated opportunities that awaited them in this ‘fabled’ land. With that, imagine what sensory maneuvers Maxwell Street Klezmer Band could relate live!


(a video that I edited for the band)