Clare and the Reasons
The Movie


4.0
excellent

Review

by robertsona STAFF
March 2nd, 2010 | 42 replies


Release Date: 2007 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Smartly written, beautifully arranged pop music. What's not to like?

I think I have a thing for albums like this. Even as an ever-so-present combination of grandiose string arrangements and too-clever-by-half lyrics cleave close to what could be considered "precious", I still assert my faith in the album and keep listening, just as I did with, say, Sufjan Steven's (who, indeed, makes an appearance here) ambitious Illinois. As I have learned again and again, this type of endurance pays off in the end; soon, Clare and the Reasons' The Movie's flaws slowly fade under its numerous strengths.

For one, the album is tightly written: "Rodi" is perhaps the best example of Clare's lilting hooks (carried strongly by her gorgeously baby-like voice), as well as the group's love of background vocals and complex string arrangements. Elsewhere, we have "Pluto", the lovely opener that cleverly serves as a love letter to the recently-demoted Pluto ("Pluto I have some frightful news dear / in the New York Times / They've just reported you've been overthrown / from your solar throne for good").

However, it all comes together beautifully on "Alphabet City", the achingly beautiful love song that serves as the album's centerpiece. Much like the rest of the album, the song contains more of Clare's intelligent and romantic musings and larger-than-life production, but its various crescendos and harmonies push it above the rest. The positives of the song are much like the positives of the album as a whole: it may seem a little cheesy, but to deny it of its power would be the equivalent of being the guy who calls out all of the little inconsistencies in a children's movie. Please, for everyone's sake: don't be that guy.



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user ratings (4)
3.4
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


almost a 4.5. short review

Kiran
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


6134 Comments


sounds very twee

i will probably like this

Observer
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


9453 Comments


Very good writing, far better than mine. This reminds me of a redsky review, which is definitely a good thing. Pos.

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


whenever i read that first paragraph it sounds like last paragraph haha i wrote this really weirdly


and in like 2 minutes. sweet. kirg, i suggest you get this. 11 songs, and not one bad one (even if i could do without 'science fiction man'; still a good song)

but it hits really good after really good song a surprising amount of times.

Observer
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


9453 Comments


Just glancing at reviews around the net, and their album released last year was pretty good it seems. Heard that?

Kiran
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


6134 Comments


heard 'rodi' on their myspace, im going to enjoy this

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


actually supposedly the arrow is mediocre. i have not heard it

klap
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


12410 Comments


orly

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


yarly

Observer
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


9453 Comments


Shame. I really like your writing, Alex.

AggravatedYeti
March 2nd 2010


7683 Comments


that cover is fucking awful
music seems pretty a'sweet tho

klap
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


12410 Comments


you suck bro the cover rules

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


my friend hates the cover but i like it. it describes the silliness/grandiose nature of the music without going overboard

klap
Emeritus
March 2nd 2010


12410 Comments


it's a throwback, i like it

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 2nd 2010


28180 Comments


play it, sam

AggravatedYeti
March 2nd 2010


7683 Comments


Rudy your face is a throwback to ugly.

DLing this now

thebhoy
March 3rd 2010


4460 Comments


what's this complex string arrangements you speak of? Are they actually complex, or hipster complex?

I should check this out, because Sufjan and all. So I probably will. And I also say this album every release reviewed by a select few and very often I forget to check the album out. I GUESS I JUST WANT TO BE COOL

AggravatedYeti
March 3rd 2010


7683 Comments


Its ok Keelan, we'll love you anyway.

...probably

robertsona
Staff Reviewer
March 3rd 2010


28180 Comments


"what's this complex string arrangements you speak of? Are they actually complex, or hipster complex?", not really all too complex but more than just *insert crescendo*; they have their own melodies and stuff and are more than just some perfect fifths sustained or some shit

also fuck that use of the word 'hipster'; cmon dude youre better than that

thebhoy
March 4th 2010


4460 Comments


lol, I knew it would get you riled hhahaha

And yes, that helps me understand what the strings are like. Merci



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