Amber

Unless things change drastically, 2006 will be a year without both Coldplay and Franz Ferdinand – a state of affairs that will create the kind of vacuum that nature, and the music industry, abhors. So who will be rushing in, Keane-like, to fill the void? Clearlake would appear to have a foot in both camps, sharing a label with the latter and the scope of the former. Second album Amber springs into life impressively, with the opening salvo of songs making all the right noises.
The experience of recording and touring their debut is evident, instilling in them a confidence so often lacking in new bands stumbling into the January light. At best, though, Amber is a solid record that offers the odd highlight and a genuine sense of progress – an indication that the band have found their ideal home with the nuturing Domino label. Maybe there are greater thrills and spills to come with the next record, but for the moment expect to see Clearlake mid-afternoon in a field near you this summer. To be sure though, there will be far worse ways of spending your time.