- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Clearlake got it right this time out. They have has never sounded as triumphant as they do on Amber.
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Alternative PressWhile the band's last album, Amber, showed the beginnings of something great, Amber, while not perfect, has actual moments of brilliance. [Mar 2006, p.134]
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BlenderThe band occasionally lapse into easy irony and cheap spite. [Mar 2006, p.110]
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A winner from start to finish.
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"Amber"'s glow increases with each listen, but existing fans have just cause to feel forsaken.
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Entertainment WeeklyOne of the most striking Brit-rock step-ups since Radiohead got The Bends. [17 Feb 2006, p.79]
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MojoThe band's most persuasive album. [Feb 2006, p.92]
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New Musical Express (NME)Dithers between drone rock and harmonica-driven indie-strut. [14 Jan 2006, p.33]
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What’s most apparent on this record is that despite having a fairly eclectic approach to creating a pop song, and cooking up the occasionally psych-y moment to epic-ify the songs, if there’s one emphasis on here, it’s on great melodies.
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Paste MagazineEasily [Clearlake's] most eclectic and least calculated [album]. [Feb/Mar 2006, p.96]
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Frequently gorgeous but over-lubed, the album forges soundscapes so lush they're almost narcotic.
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Compared to their offerings to date 'Amber' has the hardest edges, but it wouldn't be Clearlake if it wasn't soft in the centre.
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Even if the music misses the mark on occasion, Pegg’s lyrics remain strong.
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Dipping into heavier rock elements can make emotional lyrics seem misplaced at times - it almost seems like the band is intentionally aiming to present a man's record - but even the album's rare moments with jagged guitar are tastefully executed.
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Q MagazineClearlake have headed into deeper, darker waters. [Feb 2006, p.101]
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Clearlake are clearly talented and still capable of making a groundswelling record. Amber, however, is not only not it, but it’s reason to wonder if they’ve lost their own sense of identity in an effort to sell records to pint-swilling British punters.
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Clearlake sound like Chris Martin fronting the Teardrop Explodes - both deadpan and victorious.
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UncutTheir third album sees them toughening up some, with much of their whimsical dreaminess tramped underfoot in their seeming desire to become a more conventional, NME-friendly, rock band. [Feb 2006, p.81]
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Under The RadarThey seem to be focusing so hard on making a more danceable album that they sometimes forget to just let loose to enjoy themselves. [#12, p.90]
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UrbThink early Blur, without the cynicism. [Mar 2006, p.112]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 7 out of 7
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Mixed: 0 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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MattFeb 24, 2006
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ThomasCFeb 18, 2006
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jameslFeb 6, 2006Clearlake has released the first great album of 2006.