With this week seeing the release of the Growl's Garden EP, this seems like a good time to talk about this fella. Dude has rocked it since his 2001, when he released his first album, Clarence Park. Speaking of...


Chris Clark - Clarence Park

Brilliant debut album. Hints of Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and other Warp royalty, but still able to sound completely original. "Lord of the Dance" still gets me... what a hilarious, yet completely awesome, track. "Bricks" and "Diesel Raven" are absolute stormers, and the intro "Pleen 1930's" follows in the lineage of BoC-old timey sounding production without sounding completely like a BoC ripoff. Take a listen if you haven't heard it before.

Yes

Also, Kickass album art. Empty is some of my favourite art of all time.

Not asking for a fucking fish thread but if that's what this is, I'm game.

He's always come close to winning me over but his highs have never reached the heights of his peers, at least not for me. I certainly enjoy his music, though.

Thread-worthy shit right here good Rabbi.


To my ears Body Riddle surpassed most of them. Top 5 of the decade for me. I liked Clarence Park and dug his live shows but I didn't expect anything of his to hit me like that - I had an immediate connection with the album and it’s only grown in my affections in the two and a half years that have elapsed since its release.

I respect what he was trying to do with Turning Dragon but it felt like and admirable misstep to me. I feel like he is at his best as a recording artist when he's not trying to recreate the atmosphere of his live stuff and the best moments on that album were the non-bangers.

The year since that release has seen a worldwide explosion of experimental beat-making on the fringes of hip hop and dubstep. I often ponder how various established artists will view the developments - If they register them at all will they, consciously or unconsciously, incorporate elements into there own stuff. Chris Clark was one of artist I was most curious about because I’ve always loved the way he assimilates various influences without losing his trademark soundworld - I even promised myself Id quiz him on the issue the next time I spotted him. Well I don’t need to now because, last week, he gave us Growls Garden and the 5th track, Distant Father Torch, answered all my questions - undeniably Clark but so fucking wonky. There is loads more to say about the ep, and I’m sure we will in this thread, but that track makes me so happy.

I'm with you on Body Riddle, Bruegs... that one came out of nowhere and completely knocked me on my ass. There's just so much going on there, and it all works so well. Amazing. And holy shit am I loving growl's Garden - a couple of real killer tracks on there. I haven't really enjoyed Distant Father Torch as much as, say, Magnet Mine and Gonk Roughage (you can tell I'm a sucker for the JAMS) but thanks to reading what you said, Bruegel, I'll have to really give it a closer listen...

I just listened to Empty the Bones of You in preparation for uploading it... hadn't heard it in a LONG time. When it first came out, I was really disappointed; I had loved Clarence Park so much and EtBoY just seemed so cold in comparison. But time has been kind, and while it is still probably the least of his albums, I found a lot on there to enjoy. Of course "Holiday as Brutality," which has one of the best grooves of any of his tracks, but I also really dug "Tycan" and "Gob Coitus" (gotta love that track name). Still, things really seem to drag near the middle.

2003 was the year that also gave us Ceramics is the Bomb, an EP which may be my favorite Clark release. I still remember hearing that for the first time at ATP 2003...

Anyway, I'll need to up the two 2003 releases here for those that haven't been initiated. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

Tropolist is right - what a rad cover...


Empty the Bones of You

Clark's second album, from 2003. As I've said before, not my favorite of his. Still worth a listen...

Body Riddle is an brilliant piece of electronic music. I was obsessed with it a couple of months ago, listening to it 2-3 times a day at some points. It's heavy and melodic in equal measure.

A truly remarkable piece of work. Was in my top 100 of all time.

Vinyl arrived today. I love the way Magnet Mine sound like its tearing apart and other tunes are bursting through the seams.

I ordered my copy just the other day. Can't wait! And I hope to get Ceramics is the Bomb up here for all the uninitiated as soon as I can...

Just listened to Body Riddle yesterday on the commute. It really is amazing... not a weak track on there, and the sequencing is damn-near perfection.

Chris Clark - Ceramics is the Bomb EP

If you haven't heard this EP, do yourself a favor and download it immediately. "The Gavel" just may be the best Chris Clark track ever. Absolutely stunning... that beat after the break is up there with the all-time greats. I remember sitting around with some friends listening to it for the first time. So much different than Clarence Park, which we all had loved. But this was such a step forward for him! HUGE fan of "Shonny" too. Really, this is 20 minutes of bliss. Check it out, seriously.

Just got Growls Garden today. Listening on headphones... another winner!

Whoa, this album is a grower!

But seriously, I might have heard this in the past and been underwhelmed by it but I can definitely see what the real heads here love about it, and I'm liking it more and more with each listen.

I've decided he's not quite as sexy as Mr. James.

And especially not Mr. Size, AIgHT

Glad to hear this! This album has a special place for me because it came out at a time when I was starting to lose my love for this kind of music... and hearing this album kind of was the beginning of an obsession that lasted for a few years. Now, having listened to his new EP, I feel a new wave of nonstop bleepiness coming my way. Have you listened to Ceramics is the Bomb yet?

God, you fucks are gonna make me listen to Clarence Park again...

Do it! DO. IT.

Shit, this thread is dying. Here's the best kind of mouth-to-mouth...


Clark - Body Riddle

Other folks have said it here better than I could... this is a must-have. Simply put, this is truly a fantastic piece of music. Released in 2006.

COME ON CLOWNS THE NEW CLARK LEAKED SOMB CLOWNS DOWNLOAD NEW CLARK

yeah fools think Dan Deacon is good in ANY way at all?

check out the song "Rainbow god." that shit is a better version of Dan Deacon right there.

I could see SOMB CLOWNS liking this album

Ummm... where are you finding the song "Rainbow God" on the new Clark album? "Rainbow Voodoo," yes...

Awesome album, by the way. Just moved into my top 5 for the year, most likely will move up at least another two spots by the time all is said and done.

im really digging Totems Flare.

and it's my first clark listen. exciting times ahead for me!

pitchfork gave totem's flare a bad review. i don't care though, at all. it's a pop album at heart, one might say. a pop album on a heavy dose of braindance.

I like plus he seems to be playing here in Septmeber. Which is nice.

http://spearedyou.blogspot.com/2009/07/clark-mix.html

30m Clark mix made for MA Hobbs show a few weeks ago