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Clumsy Lovers: After the Flood One of the most fun, talented and energetic bands to emerge from our great northern neighbor in the last 10 years, Vancouver’s Clumsy Lovers defy easy pigeonholing, ranging across the spectrum of musical styles and covering everyone from Woody Guthrie to AC/DC. Strong bluegrass and folk roots anchor a wry punk sensibility and hard-working rock ’n’ roll attitude. The Clumsy Lovers are known for their rollicking live gigs, and this album successfully gets across exactly what it means to be at one of their crazy-ass punk shows. On the road over 300 days per year, the Clumsy Lovers have perfected the art of staying fresh with every performance and they are certainly at their best on After the Flood. The band plays on record just like they do live — hard, fast and full of so much energy that you can't help but shake what your maker gave you. The album proves that it really is possible to play just as strong and tight in the studio as on stage.
“Better Me” touches back to classic bluegrass with frenetic banjo and rapid-fire vocals, and could be at home on any country radio station. This is bluegrass at its finest, yes, but with the lightning-fast drumming of any good punk romp. The breathless-yet-strong chorus is a testament to Rogers’ graceful delivery. A medley of traditional instrumental pieces bridges into the next track, “Mercy.” Highlighting Andrea Lewis’ fiddling, “Mercy” has a catchy tune that weaves its way across, around and under Rogers’ vocals. The thoughtful lyrics give way to the sweeping flow of the chorus, punctuated by a tongue-in-cheek bridge. It’s a paean to repentance, no matter how insincere the apology. “Spare in the Trunk” has an utterly fantastic chorus, a real tongue twister with a delightful bit of wordplay. “Spare” is lots of fun — a rollicking good tune with a jaunty beat driving the chorus into your subconscious. Rogers’ vocal flexibility is also evident in “Checking Out,” with understated singing soberly depicting the pain of a breakup even while lending hope for the possibility of entering a new chapter of life. “Playera” is a riff on the composition by the Spanish great Sarasate, with a sensuous flamenco feel. Lewis fairly seduces the listener with her violin with this hot little number that leaves you in a sweat (and tapping your feet).
The Clumsy Lovers are a hard-working band, and with this album they've fully paid their dues and are ready for bigger and better things. After the Flood can be purchased at the band’s web site or at one of their many live shows and is worth absolutely every penny. |
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After the Flood is the band’s seventh
album and their first with 
After the Flood isn’t just a romp
through different styles of music, however. There is more to the
album than just gorgeous playing and tight rhythms — it has
a story to tell. Blending traditional bluegrass, down-home gospel
and epic storytelling, the ballad “Amen” is the first
of a flood-themed song cycle that will move and shake you. The
fast pace of the song counterpoints the lyrical desperation of
the voice of the narrator, a down-to-earth farmer who will fight
for his land come hell or (literally) high water. “House
and Home” continues the drama, echoing the staunch independence
of the steadfast farmer. In this setting, the strong harmony of
Lewis’ and Homey’s fiddle and banjo is showcased. The
high water theme continues in the following track, “After
the Flood.” Who would have thought that a song could combine
Noah, the Gospel of John and Humpty Dumpty in such a sweeping,
touching manner? But it works, man, it works. Lewis’ fiddle
weaves the disparate elements of the song into a passionate crescendo
with a cathartic coda provided by Rogers. The coda makes the song,
reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s classic “Eclipse.” The
burgeoning drama of life, the universe and everything is all contained
therein. “Waterbound” is a fitting end to the overt
flood symbolism, a traditional song that harkens back to the playful
spirit of Appalachian folk music. It’s not often folks from
outside the south play down-home bluegrass well, but these Canadians
are up to the task. Basking in a playful reel, “Waterbound” brings
closure to the somber themes of the previous three. A fitting end
to the flood cycle of the album.