Suburban Light

Every once in a while, one hears a rustling in the bushes -- a veritable buzz. All your friends are talking about a record they stumbled upon, by a band that will affect the world. Such is the nature of the organic groundswell surrounding The Clientele, who creates an enchanting sound that is haunting, fragile, sublime, yet also strangely tragic.

After all the sold-out 7-inches — present-day collectors' items, no less — and positive critical reception comes the biggest step yet for London's finest: their first full-length, released across the Atlantic by your friends at Merge Records. Entitled "Suburban Light," The Clientele's latest effort is a pastiche of swirling melodies and ethereal voices, evocative of lazy summer afternoons spent outdoors, and soft focus lighting. The essentially '60s feel of the record is rooted in The Clientele's admiration of Surrealism, Galaxie 500, Paul Auster, Kafka, Phil Spector, Cardinal, Felt, The Left Banke, Joseph Cornell, The Beach Boys, and Arthur Lee's Love. And while likened to the Byrds, Belle and Sebastian, and the Beatles, these three young British lads still manage to enchant with their own distinctly dreamy sound. With "Suburban Light," The Clientele breeze their way into the hearts and psyches of their American compatriots.