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CD Review: The Cliks – Dirty King

CD Review – The Cliks
Dirty King
Warner Music Canada

Formally a quartet, now downsized to a power trio, Toronto-based band The Cliks release their follow-up to the highly acclaimed Snakehouse album with their latest Warner Music Canada release (Tommy Boy in the US),  Dirty King. Back on the passionate grind, vocalist/guitarist Lucas Silveira and his crew, have once again successfully subjected their listeners to songs of woe and wisdom, a hard rocking, thinking man’s version of Elvis Costello with the lyrical prowess of Chrissy Hynde , the combination makes this group of Canadians worthy of  taking the center stage with The Cult, Cyndi Lauper (True Colors tour) and currently with the legendary New York Dolls to name a few.

“Haunted” opens the album with with exactly that: a haunting, brooding,  almost somber look inside what could be a personal message from the mind and soul of Mr. Silveira, but the title track “Dirty King” takes the album by storm with it’s surf-riff, garage rock inspired hooks. There seems to be quite a few ballads on this album, all worthy mind you, just could use a pinch of more Fuzztone/Rock to make this a tasty recipe.  Let’s say it’s a decaffeinated version of the first Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s album. But pay no mind, its the true songwriting skills that shine. One could even hear some slight nods to Lone Justice from the Shelter album- a classic. Standout tracks “Career Suicide” and “Wolverines” could easily be the new live faves for The Cliks‘ already growing international fanbase

Producer Sylvia Massy known for her work with Red Hot Chili Peppers has once again taken her place behind the boards, and turned out a meticulously crafted sound that complements the bands’ hard rock stigma that is Dirty King. With the band touring constantly, Lucas Silveira and his bandmates Morgan Doctor and Jen Benton have gone the extra mile to place Canadian Rock back on the map… for good.

Dirty King is in stores June 23

TheCliks.com

myspace.com/thecliks

By E.S. Day

Copyright © 2004-2009 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.

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THE CLIKS GET READY TO RELEASE ‘DIRTY KING’ June 23, 2009

Kindling Records / Warner Music Canada recording artists The Cliks have just completed work on their much anticipated album Dirty King, the follow-up to 2007’s critically lauded CD Snakehouse. The new album is scheduled for release in North America on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. Tommy Boy Records’ Silver label imprint will be releasing the Toronto-based band’s record in the U.S. with subsequent releases coming from the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. More territories are expected to confirm releases shortly.

Led by songwriter/guitarist/singer Lucas Silveira and propelled by drummer Morgan Doctor and bassist Jen Benton, The Cliks’ live shows have won over a faithful legion of fans and critics over the past two years, so it comes as no surprise that they hit the road immediately following the completion of their latest album to play dates around the United States. The band recently sold-out their headlining show at New York City’s Mercury Lounge where they were joined on stage by the group’s most reverent cheerleader, Cyndi Lauper. Lauper joined The Cliks on a rousing rendition of Dirty King, the rocking title track from the new album.

Produced by Sylvia Massey (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool), Dirty King captures The Cliks’ at the height of their power as musicians. Having spent over 400 days on the road touring Snakehouse, the band was now playing tighter than Doctor’s snare drum. Add to that the best songwriting of Lucas’s career and you have an irresistible slab of rock and roll.

“The album is based around defeat, lies, deception, loss of trust in others and yourself,” explains Silveira. “I wrote the album coming from a really lonely place.” Indeed, the album plumbs difficult depths in the form of relationships and identity politics, as did the band’s Warner Music debut, Snakehouse, but here, there is a redemptive quality absent from the band’s previous output. The price of that, however, is eternal vigilance. “Dirty King is more about having risen out of the ashes, being on your feet, but constantly having to dodge people trying to knock you down,” says Silveira.

The album also marks the first time the band has collaborated on new material with the song “Career Suicide” based on a bass riff Benton started playing at sound checks. “On tour Lucas and I came up with the pre-chorus together, [and] we put together the chorus and the bridge, which was written to a very rhythmically defined beat Morgan came up with,” says Benton. “It was a great experience for [us].”

The Cliks will launch Dirty King with a headlining show in Toronto on Saturday, June 27, 2009 on the South stage at Carleton and Church St. as part of the city’s Gay Pride celebrations.

LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH THE CLIKS HERE

The Cliks perform in Vancouver with New York Dolls, May 28/09

thecliks.com

Copyright © 2004-2009 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.

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