SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE – UNDER THE LAMPSHADE

THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE
UNDER THE LAMPSHADE
ROOM 5

The James Clark Institute is back with a new album, Under The Lampshade, produced by Moe Berg of The Pursuit Of Happiness. Besides James Clark himself, who plays guitar, percussion and sings, the band includes Tom Gibson on electric lead guitars, Tim Gall on bass, Greg Condie on pianos and organs, and Dean Carl Glover on drums. Together, this band creates rock’n’roll as it was intended.

Clark and company in some ways go back in time to the days of pop rock or just straight-ahead guitar, bass and drum sound. This is refreshing in today’s world of modulated sounds and autotune. The songs are three-minute bursts of energy with verse and chorus and are as catchy as anything one may hear. Clark’s vocals are perfect for the songs and from beginning to the end, he brings the listener in, like an old friend. It sounds like they were all in the room together, working out the songs and recording them. It sounds old-fashioned, and in some ways it is but the music is contemporary and sounds very fresh.

The album kicks off in style with “Hit Hollywood”, with the awesome “It’s the rolling of the eyes that really gets under my skin”. Things calm down a little with “Phantom Girl”, with the tasteful guitar lick that forms the melody. “Tornado” is a beautiful ballad, which shows the more sentimental side of The James Clark Institute. “Whatever O’Clock In The Morning” has an equally sad tone but has one strong upbeat melody. It is brilliant.

The album ends with the fair warning, “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”. It is a fantastic ending to a brilliant album and it is nice to see an album under 45 minutes. As with many classic albums, there is no need to go 90 minutes, short, to the point songs and albums are really part of the charm of rock and roll.

The James Clark Institute knows its rock history and is aware of all the classics that have come before them. They do not copy such artists, but rather incorporate the influences into their own music. It is easy to throw comparisons like The Beatles, and The Kinks, but listening to this album, one hears Big Star, The Raspberries and Badfinger, all contributing to the overall sound. Under The Lampshade is a strong, magnificent album.

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