Monday, October 24, 2016

MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE - YESTERDAY'S MISADVENTURES



This Toronto melodic rocker delights in clever moves, both lyrically and musically. Great rhymes are backed up by big hooks and classic pop moments. Clark and producer Moe Berg drop in lots of Beatles references, and each song has a catchy, well-built structure, with bridges, instrumental breaks and ear-pleasing chord changes. It's what Neil Finn and Crowded House always excelled at.


The other joy here is the interesting and off-beat storytelling. Clark draws a parallel between himself and the melancholy character of Charlie Brown in Charlie Schulz Was Always In Love, singing about drawing his life. Monica's Harmonica builds an entire song around that one little bit of wordplay, and some Attractions-like rockin'. Closing cut Dorothy is a touching, personal look at his mother's struggle with Alzheimer's. There's lots going on all through the album, and each song is full of rewards.

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