This Atlanta-based quintet likes it shaken and stirred.
Clemente, an indie/country/folk/rock/pop party of five who is anticipating the release of their musically jumbled LP "Teeth Measure the Need" can expect a mixed bag of criticism.
Similar to the expected range of commentary on the band's latest effort, the tracks on the latest disc pull in too many directions. With such a busy fusion, it is difficult to figure what the band is about.
Shaking up the indie scene with an obvious twinge of lap-steel guitar and stirring up the southland with the non-country stylings of lead singer Jeff Siler, Clemente tries slightly too hard to bring clashing worlds together.
An acoustic guitar opens the fourth track "Raising," a song that lacks focus and personality. Drowning out the acoustic guitar are harsh strikes of drum and loud vocals that do not blend with the rest of the instruments.
While some of the songs seem to be forced and unnatural, the band does successfully provide a couple of tracks that make for decent barroom hits.
Making it to the ninth song on the disc does prove to be fruitful. "Gradually" is a surprisingly smooth medium-paced track that uses level beats, the lap-steel and bass to compliment Siler's outcry for a distancing lover: "So now we piece together a quiet evening/ Please don't lock your door/ Tonight/ Gradually you draw away," Siler sings softly.
This is a one-time event, unfortunately. As the 12-track disc spins, the variety of inflections only serves to create a muddled image for Clemente.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
