March 29, 2010
Clogs
The past month or so was busy for Clogs -- in addition to releasing their fifth full-length album, The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton, the band played high-profile shows in Minneapolis, New York, and Knoxville. We thought we'd recap the month's doings in further detail.
Pitchfork rated The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton an 8.2/10.0 while stating:
Like their new approach to cover art - once muted and minimal; here a spectrum of vivid color - The National's Bryce Dessner and Co. have crafted a new version of Clogs that revels in pushing boundaries and redefining their sound... Lady Walton contains the most accomplished and varied music Clogs have recorded to date.
Meanwhile, The Boston Phoenix was just as enthusiastic:
Fusion experimenters Clogs take a modern approach to folk-flavored chamber music. Led by composer Padma Newsome (the National), they build their courtly Renaissance sound on intricately woven strands of ukulele, violin, bassoon, and percussion... On Creatures, Clogs imagine a graceful space that's always worth revisiting.
For more reviews of The Creatures and the band's EP-length prologue Veil Waltz, check out The Faster Times, All About Jazz and, well, Google away if you want more.
Now for the live bits. The band played a two-night stand in late February at The Southern Theater in Minneapolis. Jon Behm of Reviler was there to capture the events in photographic form:
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The band grooves onstage.
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Rachael blows her bassoon while Thomas marimbas.
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Shara Worden (of My Brightest Diamond) embraces the audience as Clogs stands behind her.
Next Clogs appeared twice in New York -- first on WNYC's Soundcheck with John Schaefer featuring an interview and live performances. (Listen yourself here.) Next came their official release party at Brooklyn's Bell House. Naturally, BrooklynVegan was there to document it all.
Finally Clogs headed to Knoxville, TN with the whole Brassland crew to participate in the second annual Big Ears Festival. Again, the ubiquitous BrooklynVegan in the house. Peep this performance of album-closer "We Were Here" (with Shara Worden and Sufjan Stevens):
Don't forget the Brassland Store currently features specials on The Creatures, limited quantities of Clogs' Lantern, on vinyl, and free shipping on US orders. And, on that commercial note, good day to you.