“Is Clipd Beaks the P.M. Dawn of noise rock?†Thankfully not, although it’s odd that the lead singer, Nic Barbelin, describes the band that way! It’s more like a drunk kid’ heady journey through kraut rock, acid melody lines, toegazing lyrical wailing and lo-fi sampling experiments.
The Clipd Beaks manage to apply pop sensibilities and a huge smack of charisma to what is usually a pretty alienating genre, thus creating quite an approachable but highly creative sound. Analog synth drones, ambient scapes and walls of guitar texture are pushed up against effected up vocals and an eclectic range of samples and freeform drumbeats. Some of the songs almost have dance punk leanings and the band would definitely be at least interesting if not explosive live.
The first track, “Nuclear Arab,’ hones in on the question, “How long will we live inside it knowing that it’s wrong?†“We Will Bomb You (We Will)’ takes on what it’s like to be in the last days of the American empire, whereas other offerings such as “Smoke Me When I’m Gone’ explore youth apathy and getting smashed. Wild, woolly and wonderful, the Clipd Beaks is beautiful, raw, insightful and original.
