The Clientele

"I saw these guys open for Love!" No you didn't, Uncle Bill. Remember 1966? Me neither, and the members of the Clientele were probably negative eight years-old. An introduction to the Clientele for those in the U.S., A Fading Summer teases with two songs nicked from the band's already collectable singles (ahem -- 45s) and a pair of previously unreleased ones. For '60s pop fetishists who hold onto their copies of Forever Changes with dear life but find more recent darlings Belle and Sebastian too twee, this release might be enough to encite eternally rabid fandom. The tone sustained throughout this all-too-brief EP is one best suited for gazing at dust particles in your bedroom. The fuzzy production complements Alisdair McLean's gentle voice, which has all the innocence and comfort of Luna's Dean Wareham and Mojave 3's Neil Halstead. This isn't mere hero worship going on, but truly inspired pop. If this is formative for the band, what lies ahead? ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide