Search - Corduroy :: Clik

Addictive, essential (and underrated)

C. G. | Atlanta, GA | 06/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's fantastic watching your fave bands go through the process of making several great albums...and then it's tough when suddenly you have to deal with the fact that they are no longer going to do so. Corduroy took this route, but we are still left with those fine albums to remember them by. Their first 3 releases, Dad Man Cat, Out of Here, and High Havoc (all on the excellent, yet ill-fated Acid Jazz label) presented us with a refreshingly different 60's style sound (one which is now being shamelessly emulated to this day)...but a sound that never really found its audience here in the States. I was less than pleased with the groups take on prog-rock (The New You), but was ecstatic upon hearing the band's final album, Clik!, which was much more electronic oriented than their previous efforts. I had always heard various cinematic elements in Corduroy's tunes, but never so much as in Clik! From the sweeping strings and drum n' bass of "Paddy and Kier", to the spy-chase theme of "The Addison Tapes", Corduroy conveys to the listener the sense of being not only in a different place, but in a different persona altogether. Clik! even manages to be a little playful, especially on the opener "Moshi Moshi", and on the infectious house/disco beat of "Thing For Your Love"...as cheesy as it is, I can't stop listening to it. The other songs on the disc are just as good. The only real problem the album has is that it may actually be TOO diverse for many listeners, as the group covers several genres all in around the space of an hour...which can be difficult to deal with if you aren't open-minded enough. One has to realize, too, that Corduroy alienated many of its fans when it changed (both out of necessity and in the spirit of artistic experimentation) its sound....which may have led to the the last two album's "failures" and the group's split (though I hear they LOVE them in Japan). Still, this is a great album...and one that will unfortunately be passed over by too many. Except for me, of course...I'll be singing (in my cheesiest lounge voice) "I've got a thing for your love" for the next decade or two. I implore you: Get Clik! while you still can."