Clare And The Reasons
(Frog Stand)
The movie As Good As It Gets caustically observed ‘the beautiful people': "Some [have] pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats... and noodle salad. Just no one [among us]. But lots of people - that's their story: Good times, noodle salad." Clare And The Reasons are beautiful people. From Arrow: "Morning comes just in time/ We will have omelettes/ And there will be parties." So, ‘Good times, noodle salad' becomes ‘parties, omelettes.' Well la dee fuckin' da.
The Reasons' lyrics and sound (Clare's voice being occasionally charming but mainly cloyingly irritating) are eyeball deep in clever and cutesy. Their anal pop string/horn arrangements are so squeaky clean you feel you're walking on polished eggshells. It's all so precious you want to smash it. The clever/cutesy quotient reaches a zenith with an oom-pah tuba cover of Genesis's already forgettable "That's All." "Look how sophisticated yet whimsical we are. Tubas! Strings! Genesis! Ain't our record hip?"
No. It's generally simplistic and rose-colored. Will someone give the beautiful people a tour of Afghanistan please?
Standout Tracks: "That's All" JOHN DWORKIN
