Clare and the Reasons

"Arrow"

18 February 2010, 12:00 | Written by Gina Louise

(Albums)

(Clare and the Reasons)

In this modern age of speed dating, Las Vegas weddings and first dates in McDonalds, it is rare to find any indulgence of our more romantic sensibilities. After all, what can’t be said equally as poignantly in a text message as in a love song? Yet in an admirable attempt to eschew the saddening absence of romance in today’s dot.com society, husband and wife duo Clare and the Reasons are back with another orchestral pop album to prove that love songs don’t have to come in the form of ‘80s power ballads.Arrow continues in the same vein as the pair’s debut album The Movie, and contains their characteristic chamber pop sounds; combining orchestral backing, catchy melodies and childlike vocals on one elaborately produced collection. In fact, some of the songs are worryingly similar, and ‘Ooh You Hurt Me So’ even starts with the same jingle bell riff as ‘Nothing Nowhere’. Yet despite this overlapping of ideas, it is still a formidable task to find fault with the album.They have weaved in some interesting concepts into their album, using a slightly more electronic base on ‘You Got Time’, working in the nostalgic sound of ‘80s Commodores into the melody. They also experiment with a cover of Genesis’ ‘That’s All’, transforming it into a brassy big band number. Clare has wisely given an edge to her vocals by singing with a slightly harsher tone, similar to the sultry tones of Natasha Khan.Regina Spektor is also brought to mind as you listen to ‘Mellifera’, in which the melody, though not sung with as much conviction, is as intricate and spontaneous as a Spektor song. The beautiful ‘Perdue A Paris’ also puts an edge on the album, combining marching band percussion with slightly off key/timing vocals add a remotely experimental tone to the otherwise safe album.I loved this band from the moment I heard their consolation-on-being-deplanitised letter to Pluto, and have not been disappointed with this album. This being said, I hope to see a few more experimental sounds in their future work as they are in danger of slipping into the same old-same old. But I have not yet lost faith, and I’m sure I shall be listening to many a beautiful melody from the band yet.