Dave Clarke is drummer-in-residence with Hothouse Flowers, and Listen For The Signals is his third solo outing. It’s an impressive project given that it’s all his own work, from songwriting, singing and playing all instruments, even through to the cover design. The 10 tracks were recorded over one week two years ago, during downtime from the Flowers, with some developed from seedlings recorded on his phone.

The production’s a tad rough around the edges at times, but that’s ok: Clarke’s sturdy, crooning voice, with its hints of Tom Waits, Scott Walker and Hozier gives the record focus. The languorous, acoustic ‘Comin’ Around’ makes room for subtly tasteful overdubs, and while ‘Hard Rain’ ain’t the Dylan track, it’s almost as apocalyptic.

This is an album of two halves, oft times acoustic, but with the appliance of electricity as required. The gritty ‘Let’s Do It Again’ has a gruff blues riff, and ‘Go Easy’ is a convincing U2-esque foray, with twangy Edge-like guitar that rattles and hums. ‘Howdy Partner’ has a band feel to it too, and its “woo-woos” also evoke U2, while the folk-rock of ‘Before I Fall’ is a neat hymn to personal freedom.

Despite the comparisons, Clarke has his own sound and his own honest style. He steers well clear of anything resembling an orthodox sonic approach, so we’re treated to recordings in the raw, with no unnecessary embellishments. With maverick acts like Junior Brother also delivering recordings that avoid the obvious, Listen For The Signals is a timely, provocative kick against over-polished production – and it’s well-worth wrapping your ears around.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4OokipaxxR2LalAFxlTxcC