New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Reviews for Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!, the provocative new album by The Claudettes ("Chicago's eclectic blues weirdos"), are pouring in - and, while the album's title ends with an exclamation point, this release is provoking question marks laced with intrigue. Are these the sounds of the '60s, the '80s, the big-band era, vaudeville, or right now? (Yes.) Is this Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, a trip back to the girl-group age, or a futuristic B-movie fusion of punk, krautrock and psychobilly? (Yes.) There may be more questions than answers here, but music writers are clearly enjoying the thrill of discovery as they uncover the musical clues - distinct traces of blues, jazz, soul, punk and rockabilly - left in the shadowy corners of this Gymnasium. This album ("a musical magician's act"- Blurt) takes those disparate sonic styles and merges them into a vibrant new whole.
No Depression calls the Claudettes "The B-movies of the music world — maybe not understood now, but in the future, the kings and queens of the universe!" Of this new album, Blurt merrily warns, "just as the listener thinks he or she has nailed down what the Claudettes are all about, the band duly yanks the rug out from under those expectations, leaving you gasping and laughing from the surprise." And U.K. blogger The Ginger Quiff compares the album to a strange world conceived in the mind of
David Lynch: "I had experiences listening to the Claudettes — What on earth did I just hear? I am happy to report that these were positive 'what the f$$$' moments.'"
In dozens of reviews the often-jaded outlooks of music critics are bent into smiles of delight by Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!Here are some favorites:
"I can't think of another group that combines barrelhouse piano and female chanteuse vocals with heavily-effected electric guitar and slamming drums. If you're ready for something that's at once unlike anything else you've heard and melodically accessible, you must listen to the Claudettes." —Musoscribe
"The soul of the '60s, psychobilly punk of the early '80s and vaudevillian blues…one of the most entertaining and unique albums of this year." —Innocent Words
"The band honors its disparate roots while crowding the palette even further on the new album … New Orleans stroll, roots, jazz, krautrock and rockabilly are swirled into the delightfully confounding mixture." —Chicago Sun-Times
"Showcases a different lineup of the band … but that's only made the Claudettes' distinct and idiosyncratic blend — punk, blues, R&B, rockabilly, some jazz — more potent.—Billboard
"With elements of blues, soul, punk, and flat-out noise, the quartet have something truly unique that you have to hear to understand—even if it only succeeds to confuse you more." —Girl Underground Music
"A prom full of suspense, mystery & strangeness...worthy of repeated listens to enjoy a variety of different facets from what is ultimately a complex piece of performance concept pop." —Impose Magazine
"I have to admit it took me a little while to wrap my head around this record ... an enticing mix of soul, blues, folk, and punk all rolled up into one tasty burrito—loose, occasionally loud and lascivious." —Dagger Zine
"The sultry, retro moodiness captured on the band's latest record sums up what makes the Claudettes' twisted ragtime vibe stand out from your typical revivalists ... well versed in whimsy, and throwing listeners for a loop." —Detroit Metro-Times
"Chicago's eclectic blues weirdos…combine a Phil Spector-style wall of sound with the cheesy ambience of your high school hallways. The results, while initially puzzling, yield a dozen pesky earworm tracks." —Colorado Springs Independent
"A magnificent melange of masterful musicianship and multifarious melodies…as infectious as it is eclectic. For those who like to pick their music by genres, it would be difficult to tie this band down and put them in a tidy box … Has almost certainly made me more open to experiencing and experimenting with more different music styles than I already was." —Louder Than War (U.K.)
"A very quirky mix of soul, rhythm & blues and heavily fuzzy, sometimes psychedelic, sound walls. Garagesoul!" —Blues Magazine(Netherlands)
Updated tour dates are listed at https://theclaudettes.com/shows:
Fri., May 4 ROCKFORD, IL Mary's Place
Sat., May 5 MADISON, WI North Street Cabaret
Wed., May 16 CLEVELAND, OH Happy Dog
Thu., May 17 WASHINGTON, DC Hill Country DC
Fri., May 18 PHILADELPHIA, PA Bourbon & Branch
Sat., May 19 NEW YORK, NY Rockwood
Music Hall
Sun., May 20 SOMERVILLE, MA ONCE Somerville
Fri., May 25 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Dakota Jazz Club
Sat., May 26 SIOUX FALLS, SD
Total Drag
Sun., May 27 STOCKHOLM, WI
Liberty Tree Farm
Mon., May 28 MADISON, WI Brat Fest
Fri., Jun 15 ROCHESTER, MN Kathy's Pub
Sat., Jun 16 BEMIDJI, MN KAXE Block Party
Fri., Jul 6 SIOUX FALLS, SD Downtown Block Party
Sat., Jul 7 SAINT PAUL, MN Vieux Carre
Fri., Jul 13 JACKSON, MI Michigan Theatre
Sat., Jul 14 MILWAUKEE, WI Anodyne
Sun., Jul 15 CHICAGO, IL Taste of Chicago
Thu., Aug 2 MAGGIA, SWITZERLAND Magic Blues
Fri., Aug 3 HAAPSALU, ESTONIA Augustibluus
Sat., Aug 4 HELSINKI, FINLAND Juttutupa
Sat., Aug 11 HIGHWOOD, IL 210 Live
Sun., Aug 12 WAUKEGAN, IL Blues on the Water
