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Through The Veil - 1989. ISLAND
422-842 344
REAL LIFE
ALABAMA
HEY LORD
PRAYER
WONDER
BURY MY HEART
HATE TO HATE
LOVE IS
TELL ME
CHIRICAHUA SUN
THE VEIL
EVERY PART OF ME
" They certainly don't waste any
time , do they? Following hard on the stomping heels of fabulous debut
single, 'Prayer', and inspirational current 45 'Hey Lord', Claytown Troupe
hit us with their eagerly-awaited debut LP. And with a few minor
reservations, 'Through The Veil' is everything I could have hoped for,
given the early promise of the singles and the live shows. Forget all the
fatuous U2 and Cult comparisons.
Bono couldn't hope to be as
passionately energising as vocalist Christian in his wildest, wettest
dreams. Nah, the Troupe are ROCKERS! Side One is all the proof you'll ever
need.
Groove-upon-groove of
dangerously combustible mood-swinging pulse disruptions. Five genuine
killer tracks all in a row, with no let up and no room to breathe or wipe
that fevered brow. Don't they have any mercy? 'Prayer' and 'Hey Lord' need
no introduction, but 'Alabama'? Well, I'd love to tell you all about
'Alabama' if only I could sit still long enough to type the words!
This is the sort of classic Rock
tune that has you diving 'round the living room yelping out the chorus
with psychotic glee. Listen and marvel as mild-mannered guitarist Ben
Bennett turns into a vicious riff hungry monster for 'Real Life' in sharp
contrast to the jangling simplicity of the eddying melodies that swirl
through 'Wonder'. 'Bury My Heart' closes Side One with yet another
compulsive chorus and some poignant 'miss you' lyrics.
Producer Ralph Jezzard's
knob-twiddling prowess allows the band to sustain their hyper-energised,
near-brutal bombast whilst maintaining the utmost clarity. A relief,
considering how many promising debuts have been ruined at the mixing desk.
All-in-all, a fine debut. The
next one will probably be a work of genius. Lord knows, this little
offering comes pretty damn close at times. "
Maura Sutton
Out There
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