- Vinyl (25 July 2005)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Label: Regal
- ASIN: B000A0UKMS
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 525,721 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The self-titled debut from Clor might not be quite what you'd expect from an outfit formed from members of Roots Manuva's live band, but this album is anything but a disappointment. Taking inspiration from the angular electronic post-punk of mid-period Devo, the pure techno pulse of Kraftwerk, and the enigmatic wordplay of Pavement, Clor is adventurous, original and unusually, for such experimentally-tinged albums, almost criminally tuneful.
Kicking off with the excellent "Good Stuff", singer-guitarist Barry Dobbin immediately nails his eccentric colours to the mast, singing about sucking up poison "though a curly straw" over metronomic beats and neat stabs of guitar. Interestingly, Clor seldom turn to that old chestnut of rock, the distortion pedal: "Love + Pain" is so clean the melody veritably sparkles, while "Dangerzone" slows things down and spaces out, like a 21st Century remake of Kraftwerk’s spartan "Radioactivity". Meanwhile, on "Hearts On Fire", they pull that trick that few but the Super Furry Animals can successfully pull off, morphing from rock song to techno workout with such eminent skill you can barely see the join. A remarkable debut. --Louis Patterson
Review
There's a time and a place for every album. Clor's debut isn't quite right at a dinner party. And don't play it while you're trying to chat someone up or before you go to sleep -unless you really like spaced out dreams. A bit sci-fi, a bit electro-pop and a bit experimental, it's not an easy listen, but it is different. And in a time of identikit indie bands called The something, that's got to be a good thing.
Rather than three-minute pop songs with catchy choruses, this album consists of a series of meandering journeys into alien worlds. It could be playing in the background of that bar in Return Of The Jedi. Or as you walk into some secret meeting of comic book enthusiasts. But it's not all geek chic. It's glam 80s synth, messy guitars, changing tempos and futuristic rhythms. Let's put it this way, it's unlikely you'll be humming a Clor tune on your way to work in the morning.
The singles stand out. "Love + Pain" sounds like early Supergrass and "Outlines" seems destined to become a classic. "Dangerzone" evokes new millennium visions of robots clunking around in factories and "Magic Touch" sounds a little like Prince.
It's definitely worth a listen, but is it worth your hard-earned cash? Not unless you're really into chaotic pop. However, there is definitely a time for this album -it's great for silly dancing. Especially if you love wearing sharp suits two sizes too small, dramatic eye make up and glitter. Even more so if you've perfected the clunky robotics that was all the rage a couple of decades ago. And if you can get to see them live while you're doing it, you'll have found the perfect time and place for Clor. --Joanna Witt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After seeing the live show, and loving the two singles (LOVE + PAIN and OUTLINES), I thought it would be worth getting the album. I had some doubts that the live sound would work on record, but Clor have obviously realised this and have adapted the songs to fit.
And it's a cracker of an album! Although the band have pop sensibility and excellent song writing talent (think fall and early devo), the upbeat keyboard-based tunes, sparse use of guitars and mostly electronic drums will not appeal to everyone. If your taste in music is a little quirky then the album might be perfect for you. Clor obviously have alot of good ideas, but instead of dwelling on them, each song is over in a 3 minute blur, even the album's masterpiece (Garden of Love) is only about three and a half minutes.
And it's a cracker of an album! Although the band have pop sensibility and excellent song writing talent (think fall and early devo), the upbeat keyboard-based tunes, sparse use of guitars and mostly electronic drums will not appeal to everyone. If your taste in music is a little quirky then the album might be perfect for you. Clor obviously have alot of good ideas, but instead of dwelling on them, each song is over in a 3 minute blur, even the album's masterpiece (Garden of Love) is only about three and a half minutes.
Chances are, if you've liked any of the singles (the third single GOOD STUFF is going to be released soon) then you'll like the album.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
With Live8 romanticising the musical summer of twenty years ago, Duran Duran playing stadiums, 'Hit Me Baby One More Time', those funny uber-mullets that suddenly loads of blokes are wearing (not me, no chance!) and now this; 2005 really has been the year of that most unexpected of revivals, an eighties one! Totally uncalled for too if you ask me, speaking as someone who can well remember that painful decade, it was rubbish and the music was, by and large, dire (straits).
None of that should reflect badly on Clor though. Their debut starts at the place Blur left off with 'Trouble In The Message Centre', injecting that Numanoid template with so many pop hooks and lyrical songs that even the most die hard eighties detractor will surely be won over. Singer Barry and guitarist Luke (formerly DJ's at the eclectic Bad Bunny club night in Soho) aren't just mere electro-pop boffins though, they've clearly indulged in some Can, Eno, Roxy Music and there's probably the odd BBC Radiophonic Workshop album in their DJ box too! It's all tastefully thrown into their melting pot of pop madness. The opening trio alone ('Good Stuff','Outlines','Love + Pain') are each would be or actual singles that could easily spark a resurgence of interest in The Human League and Sparks. This is one of those amazing first albums where the band arrives out of nowhere already fully formed, great things surely await!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Clor are really a wicked new band to have managed to break through. So many new bands at the moment are producing non-original stuff that sounds boring and done before, this band are fresh and new with all the old cool influences! I think the music is quite technically intellectual, and i have seen them live and they can play it all tighter and more on it than the alubm! it really is a cd you have for your music collection, these guys are gonna be huge!!! p.s dangerzone is my favourite.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
CLOR ....hello goodbye
Im gobsmacked...........I heard tracks on this Album on the Clor myspace site........the music is stunning, rivetting in its power and drive Barry Dobbins voice is one in a... Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2006 by activator
a musical breath of fresh air
with all the overhyping and re-invention of 'retro' music, it would be easy to put Clor in the same box as Razorlight, The Killers et al. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2005
Enough "Little Miracles" to keep the punters happy
One thing for sure, it's never boring. Occasionally infuriating in the way some tracks promise more than they deliver. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2005 by russell clarke
Packed with would be pop hits in an 80s style!
With Live8 romanticising the musical summer of twenty years ago, Duran Duran playing stadiums, 'Hit Me Baby One More Time', those funny uber-mullets that suddenly loads of blokes... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2005 by Danny Neill
Simply Brilliant
Its a breath of fresh air, something that really is different without being obscure and nonsense. The album recalls days of Visage/Sparks and classic Depeche Mode with a slight... Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2005 by D. Harris
Little miracles
This line, from one of the strongest tracks on the album, 'Dangerzone' says a lot about Clor's sound. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2005
Deserve to be big
I bought the Clor album after hearing the Love + Pain EP and I was not at all disappointed. It is interesting, innovative and different enough to stand out from the current retro,... Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2005 by "planetqueen1977"
Try Before You Buy
If at all possible I'd recommend having a good listen if you can before buying. For every moment of brilliance here (and there are several) there is the annoying and irritating. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2005
It's just the tunes
I've read endless reviews of this record which witter about the incongrous styles involved. It's been variously called art-rock, techno, electronica, pop. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2005 by Mr. Jamie J. Mclaughlin
Simply Sublime
Reccomended to me from a friend and I must say what a top album!! What stands out most to me was the cool keyboard sounds. Definatly worth the purchase!!
Published on 29 July 2005 by kelly raymond
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