Search - Clumsy Lovers :: After the Flood

Celtic bluegrass

Aingeal Stone | Yellowknife, NT Canada | 09/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD for bluegrass lovers and celtic music lovers! Absolutely high energy excellent musicianship and a great attitude! I would absolutely love to see these folks perform live! If you are looking for something uplifting this will have you dancing in no time!Don't Canadian musicians rock?!!"

Fingerpicking Mayhem

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 05/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Reviewer Johnny Loftus called the Clumsy Lovers' CD "fingerpicking mayhem" which is probably a kinder description than my own which was "John Hartford on speed." This Canadian band from western Ontario rocks with a vengeance. Jason Homey's banjo and Chris Jonat's mandolin give the Lovers a traditional sound that will make fans of Nickel Creek want to give a listen. Chris Jonat stuffs words assiduously inside buoyant melodies with a bit of humor, much as John Hartford used to do. For example, on "Everything's Okay" they sing, "You've seen scenes so serene like red makes you rage but you sleep to green." The instrumentals "Groove Set," "Waterbound" & "Highland Skip" are wonderful little bolts that fly by at lightning pace. "Amen" is a great ballad that for me has a Bob Dylan flare, assuming he did a bluegrass set. On their first major-label disc, there may not be a great standout single track like Nickel Creek had, but everything is consistently strong and delightful. This is a high energy set that will set you toe to tapping. Enjoy!"

Frenetic, eclectic, and fresh...

Peter Baklava | Charles City, Iowa | 06/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only a band with great players in it could marry stylistic influences so diverse, and pull it off flawlessly. "After the Flood" is a heady brew that will definitely give you a buzz of happiness.



From the first song, you will know that you are in for something different. "(A)Better Me" introduces a sound that melds 90's alternative pop with American bluegrass and Celtic reels and jigs reminiscent of Fairport Convention.



The surprises don't stop there. This band can range through Latin and Reggae rhythms---sometimes in the same song. They can call forth everyone from "Dexy's Midnight Runners" to Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. The lyrics are clever, and the bass and drums kick butt, sometimes sounding amazingly like Fairport Convention's Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks.



A word to the wise: Bluegrass purists Beware! This is not an album of Beverly Hillbillies' style breakdowns. But this band DOES feature a monstrously talented banjo player, and the music takes a lot of risks. The result is infectiously happy music, and the band sounds like it's enjoying itself enormously.



CATCH THIS BAND IF IT'S IN YOUR VICINITY! They can play rings around other Celtic-influenced bands like the Decemberists. They just haven't gotten the hype, yet. Listen to them, and you'll want to pass the word to others."