CLEARLIGHT — Forever Blowing Bubbles (review)

CLEARLIGHT — Forever Blowing Bubbles album cover Album · 1975 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Sean Trane
If the debut album was simply stunning, unfortunately, one cannot expect this sophomore record to be quite as successful. Out with Cyrille Verdeaux is a real band (with Christian Boule already present on Symphony II) as well as a real star guest list including David Cross (KC), Gilbert Artman (Lard Free) and the Northettes (of Hatfield and National Health fame). But all of this does not save this record from paling with its predecessor; although it is clear Verdeaux did not try to duplicate his first record either, which is a sign that they were real artistes.

Also released on the (then-reliable) Virgin label, it contains unfortunately some very cheesy and embarrassing bubble sounds that ruin an otherwise interesting record if you make abstraction of the opening and second last tracks, which are sung and are not particular well at it. Clearly the centrepieces are the highlight of the album taking you back a bit to the debut album, but without making a copy/paste either. Without words and ergotrip being the better tracks, IMHO, but you can also safely put your money on Way and Pendant Ce Temps-Là (in the meantime) which are also superb. A rather stunning closing track with full electronics-délire does end the album on a high note.

Not quite as essential than Symphony, this recode is nevertheless still a great moment, despite its flaws, and is much worth your investigations.
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