aaamusic | On 06, Nov 2011

 

Crazy Clown Time may be David Lynch’s debut album, however it is obviously a deeply ambitious and personal project with all 14 tracks having been written and produced by the man himself. Lynch, who is an Oscar nominated film maker (Mulholland Drive and The Elephant Man being among his most celebrated films) said that this album came about through his love of experimenting with music and jamming. “Crazy Clown Town” was recorded over several months at his own studio in an organic way that resulted in many “Happy creative accidents” that feature on the album. The result is a collection of songs that are deep, quite dark and heavily features a surrealist element that he is known for in his film work.

Kicking off this album is “Pinky’s Dream” featuring fellow eccentric Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. This track sets the tone of the album: it is quite minimal and has a rather haunting tone. Another standout track is “Football Game” which Lynch wrote for an imaginary scene in a film whereby the football players are walking off the pitch. This tune has a modern blues feel but of course with a surreal, experimental twist.

For much of this album Lynch keeps to spoken word with his serious, deep vocals  making some of the more unusual lyrics “Diddy and his hair/I’m fire! Oh, oh, oh! /Danny spit on Suzi” sound rather bizarre on delivery. Weirdness and eccentricity certainly prevail on this album- the unmistakeable tone of Lynch’s avant-garde work is evident throughout through the hazy reverb drenched guitars, quirky lyrics and the kooky macabre songs. Fans of Lynch’s style will undoubtedly be impressed with this album. Perhaps I just didn’t “get it” but I’m not sure if his love of the alternative translates as easily to music as it does to film.

Author: Orna Lyons