Posted on: September 20, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

I am genuinely thrilled to announce that* CLUES* will be touring the UK this October just a few short months after the release of their wondrous self-titled debut record, an album full of secrets, smiles, snarls and sing-a-longs.

Co-founders Alden Penner and Brendan Reed quietly nurtured this project in Montreal after the demise of their respective bands, *Unicorns* and *Les Angles Morts*. As a member of the wonderful but sadly short-lived Unicorns, Penner’s songwriting prowess was unveiled in a bright burst of mysterious and kaleidoscopic energy, in the form of a single full-length album (released in 2003) and countless live shows. Penner’s voice, guitar and unique lyrical vision now guide Clues, with humble authority, originality and intent. Wedded to Reed’s superlative compositional and arranging acumen (and awesome drumming, among other instrumental skills) and abetted by multi-instrumentalists Ben Borden (Les Automates de Maxime de la Rochefoucauld), Lisa Gamble (Gambletron, Evangelista, Hrsta) and Nick Scribner (Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble).

Forged from postpunk, no-wave and psych influences, Clues compose a rare breed of complex pop anthems that consistently inscribe their own perfect limits, without overreaching and without pandering. Their music is exuberantly infectious and approachable offering up a highly original, intensely committed and hugely satisfying definition of indie rock. I wholeheartedly encourage you to watch them perform on one of their shows, here are the tour dates:-

Oct 19: Manchester, Drowned In Sound Stage @ In The City Festival @ The Deaf Institute
Oct 20: Sheffield, The Harley
Oct 21: Edinburgh, The Electric Circus
Oct 22: Dublin, Whelans
Oct 23: Liverpool, Korova
Oct 24: Bristol, Start The Bus
Oct 25: London, The Lexington

In support of the tour Clues are giving away an exclusive *MP3* from the album – *REMEMBER SEVERED HEAD* which was not previously available. You can listen to the song here > http://www.cstrecords.com/releases/cst057/audio_files

Additionally, they are promoting a video of the album’s opener *HAARP – *a great song which intersperses fuzzy guitar drones with twee guitar chimes. A change of pace part way through reveals yet another dimension to the music and all the while we are reminded why Penner is hailed for his unique vocal and song-writing abilities.
Access the video here > http://www.vimeo.com/6217945 *

*(A lovely giveaway package I hope you will agree)

It is notable that Alden Penner was also the musical director for (and various other Clues members ended up contributing to) the indie film *Paper Hearts*, which is getting hyped all over these days. If you are interested in learning more then you can visit http://www.paperheart-movie.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/paperheart

If you have any questions regarding these tour dates or the giveaway items then please get in touch. Ill leave you with some praise from the press:

“/Montreal’s Clues have created a magnificent, off-kilter, decimated orchestral epic or a record; wilfully wonky and delightfully discordant; delicate vocal melodies soar above dented but shiny steam-punk homemade instrumentation. This is a truly unmissable record standing out among a season of great albums./” *- 5/5 SUBBA CULTCHA *

“/A splendid slice of raucous pop energy and indie rock idiosyncrasy that continues the strand of wonderfully individual yet oddly accessible releases…Clues offer up garage rock stomp, post-punk angularity, occasional melancholy interludes and a host of soaring anthemic, indie rock stormers, all delivered with just the right slant of oddness and genuine originality./”* – ROCK A ROLLA *

“/Clues marshals light and shade with some mastery./”* – 4/5 UNCUT *

“/Clues is a very assured debut with a fully formed aesthetic that exploits the strengths of its players while pushing them beyond their established comfort zones. With any luck, Penner will be able to stick with this project for a second album./” *- PITCHFORK *

“/Fans…have been waiting a heckuva long time for this record. Its a grimy, troubled spectre of a record that chases the frightened figure of pop down dark brass-haunted alleys, labyrinths of guitar murk and Lynchian cabaret halls./” *- 8/10 ROCKSOUND*

“/A must have for fans of strange pop music/.” *- AQUARIUS RECORDS *

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