
Socks Off is a memory of a childhood past and has some clever phrases such as soft and cold, like the other side of the pillow, don’t turn it over yet and all backed with a different guitar style that stays melded in one’s mind only to crop up later in the day.
The next track is very ‘Australiana’ with a link to Neo - Country Music, but do not mistake this for Country Music. Clint’s playing (and those who assisted him compile this album) is, without doubt, faultless. The tales told are real and are easily related to. The whole composition is waiting there for you to reach out to and listen to the interaction that is so finely balanced between each and every instrument.
Clint has obviously striven hard to produce this album and it works; he has this voice that is so adaptable that it becomes like one of the instruments being played and the outcome is intended to be listened to; not loudly, not gently but with thought. What Clint sings about is happening somewhere, here and now and that is the beauty of the album as it is almost tangible.
I Saw The Lightening with the organ, guitars, percussion, harmonies and insightful lyrics deserves full airplay; it is full of beauty, sadness, pathos and a degree of mental confusion and that lead guitar-what can one say?
One can best describe this album of Australiana meets neo Country and they exchange talk and borrow musical licks from one another. Even the songs of sorrow do not make one upset as they are true (or could be) incidents and do not depend upon the old clichés of Bluey the Dog running for miles only to be killed by an oncoming truck.
That is the thing with Clint, one never knows what’s coming next and he needs greater exposure to share these treasures with others.
To publish an album, like this, with no fillers, no bubble gum but pure country observations and tales is a masterpiece. But wherein lies the REAL Clint? His previous EP, Red Headed Thief, differs from this album, thus showing musical growth, but one day Clint will let that mask drop and we will have one helluva album to listen to. I feel he is still finding his feet and comfort zone, even though he is light years ahead of many of his contemporaries.
As they say, Dark Waters run deep and perhaps therefore Clint named this album so. Who knows as he has this aura of mystery about him and his work.
You could not go wrong by purchasing this album, which is due out in October, as you’ll be able to relate to it so well; if you cannot relate to it, I’m afraid you have not lived life!
Tony Bates
Uncut and Unsigned
www.3MDR.com