CLEAR LIGHT – Clear Light

Description

Imagine it is 1967 and you hold a record in your hands with some guys on the cover dressed in what was fashionable among youngsters at the time standing in a patch of palm tree forest and a rolling band logo in light blue above them. It could be anything for sure but you know that it might be promising. Now you get to know that these guys are from Los Angeles and since you are aware of the vibrant Californian scene now your interest awakes. And here is where the fun begins. What might have been just one album out of so many equally good ones from 1967 – there were a hell of a lot struggling for your attention – the first fuzzed out rocker already sends your soul into a state of simmering excitement and the further you explore this piece of morning maniac music the more colorful aspects of their creativity will enchant you. Dark or at least gruff rock tunes with a quite heavy fuzz guitar take turns with melodic tunes that have these lush clean guitar harmonies you rather expect from THE BYRDS but since you are also aware that both bands originate from the same city and scene it is no wonder that CLEAR LIGHT got heavily influenced by their compatriots. They still try out different twists and turns on psychedelic pop and rock, early heavy stuff and garage sounds. Their melody writing is just captivating. The most outstanding track on this album to me is “Mr. Blue” for its remote structures far from the typical pop tune. It starts with a sluggish roll on the floor tom that reminds you of a scene where a convict slowly walks up to the gallow while the judge reads the sentence and indeed there is a voice that speaks to “Mr. Blue” and tells him about his fate. In between the track turns into a classic heavy garage rocker with a catchy chorus line and with each verse there are more and spookier guitar howls joining the speaking voice. The grand finale of “Mr. Blue” is an instrumental explosion of pure garage psychedelia. A piece like this is quite typical for the era but also above awesome as in many cases. More colorful pop with changing rhythms and memorable melodies will come hereafter. Contemporary rock acts that were playing in a similar league musically for sure were THE SEEDS, THE BYRDS, THE COUNT FIVE, THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT, BLUES MAGOOS, so you will know what to expect from CLEAR LIGHT. And they used to have everything a band needs to become a major act on the scene back then. So let us drag this classic back to the light and inspire younger generations with their brand of stormy harmonies and forceful fuzz guitars on body shaking rhythm patterns.