Guest post by Mark Bowman
The Chicago band Clearance’s sophomore effort, “At Your Leisure”, out via Topshelf Records, is a refined, consistent rock ‘n’ roll album from beginning to end.
Those familiar with Clearance’s debut record, “Rapid Rewards”, have certainly made the connection to the band’s affinity for 90’s slacker rock. Their debut could almost be mistaken for a Pavement record that never saw the light of day — so much so, it’s sometimes hard to imagine anyone other than Stephen Malkmus behind the microphone.
With this new record, Clearance begins to expand their sound beyond just that of just an (admittedly fantastic) Pavement tribute band. They’ve consciously begun to etch out their own lane of jangly slacker rock. Pulling from a wider array of influences on this effort, it seems the most discernable point of inspiration comes from the jangly pop rock made famous in the 1980’s on Flying Nun Records.
When mixed with more subdued hints of Pavement, “At Your Leisure” creates a welcomed texture of classic indie rock, and that is what you are left with: a fantastically consistent indie rock record that sounds both nostalgic and current.
Hear music from “At Your Leisure”, the new Clearance record, on New Music Fridays with DJ Tom, beginning at noon this and every Friday.
