Review Summary: A welcome return from the Clientele that sees them successfully adding some elements to their already perfect sound.
The Clientele, I always felt are a very underrated band. During the first decade of the 2000s they released several excellent records of elegant reverb rich indie pop. Then following the release of their 2009 album, Bonfires on the Heath, the group went on hiatus. Since that time singer Alasdair MacLean, along with Lupe Nunez-Fernandez of the indie pop band Pipas, formed a new project called Amor De Dias. The short-lived group put out two records on Merge of decent indie pop. However, even though the two releases that Amor De Dias put out were good listening to them made me miss the Clientele even more.
So, I was really glad when they announced in 2017 that they were releasing a new album. For this new record Alasdair MacLean reconnected with an old friend of his Anthony Harmer. Harmer, who is known to be adept at playing various non-western stringed instruments especially one called the santur which is a Persian instrument similar to a dulcimer, helped Maclean on the writing and arranging of the songs. Also, coming in to lend a helping hand is harpist Mary Lattimore and Maclean’s partner in Amor De Dias Lupe Nunez-Fernandez.
Adding these new players into their line up could have been a disaster for the Clientele but it wasn’t as they sound like they have been part of the band all along. Bringing in these new elements ends up giving everything on Music for the Age of Miracles much more texture and depth. As for the songs themselves they contain all the elements that make this group so special. You have the breathy vocals of Alasdair MacLean coupled with their beautiful dreamy melodies and expansive arrangements.
Right off the bat listening to the opener “The Neighbor” with its casual strolling atmosphere it feels like the band never left. That’s just one of the many bright spots to be found here. “Lunar Days “ is all bright and lush with its infectious chorus of “Holloways/Lunar days”. Meanwhile the propulsive “Falling Asleep’ is the album’s most upbeat song featuring an expansive arrangement that gives it an almost cinematic feel. On “Everything You See Tonight is Different from Itself” the addition of harpist Mary Lattimore helps to add an extra dimension to the rest of the instruments carrying MacLean’s vocals. Next, the hypnotic “The Circus”, the almost lullaby like “Constellations Echo Lanes”. and the soaring “Everyone You Meet” are the songs that most remind of me of autumn leaves falling to the ground.
Music for the Age of Miracles was a welcome return for the Clientele and a fine addition to their catalog. Here’s hoping we don’t need another eight years to hear from them again.
