Having been with Caper Clowns since the early years, it is a delight to see how they have grown and now have the world at their feet. Many more Reviewers and DJs now claim them and rightly so. It is getting nearer to the time when their acclaim from the more mainstream will leave us behind.
But we don't want to let them go yet and will hold on for dear life. We are door openers, but the Danes are a lovely band and as they have gotten bigger, they have gathered fellow musicians to start a scene that is delightful and they have never ever forgotten us.
They've been regularly compared to Crowded House, fairly so, and Anywhere Is Home on this album is a great example of that. Without A Safety Net is a prime example of how constant touring and their encouragement of others has led them to the experience that makes this album so great.
The marked difference to what has gone before is that this album is a much Rockier affair. The songs are still built on great choruses, but the sound is bigger and the pace much quicker. It suits them really well as they have come up with a tour de force, a beautifully arranged and performed affair.
Little differences mark this growth. The Guitar solo on Tight Ship, the Psych Pop of the standout Strange Boy. The instrumental arrangement on Martyr's Dream which is unlike anything they've gone near before. Behind The Waterfall (Ayahahoo) is all Indian Tableau, very hippy trippy.
A Silhouette Of Past Regrets is epic, a little Scouse Pop feel at times, Space maybe and edging into Brit Pop, but sounding like no one else. Quixote is a great Pop song, Jaunty to the extreme with a wonderful Jangle.
Dawn's First Light and Reset The Sun point to Caper Clowns' past, but Without The Aid Of A Safety Net has moved the band into a much wider sound, a new level of arrangements and performance, a proper band album.
Having seen them so far, I was still gobsmacked at the giant steps that have been taken here. Complicated arrangements, surprise departures, yet still incredibly melodic. If you like Pop Rock, you MUST listen to this. It is a great example of how music can affect the soul.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on CD or as a download.
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