Don't forget about the record release party tonight at Spaceland. I wrote this back in late August and planned to re-write before posting, but I'm too lazy.
The Henry Clay People: For Cheap or For Free (Autumn Tone)
The Henry Clay People are full of surprises. After a year of constant gigging around Southern California, For Cheap or For Free is a remarkable progression over their debut album. Known for their raucous live shows, it's great to hear that infectious energy captured on record.
At times, For Cheap or For Free feels like a post-adolescent concept record. But instead of some self-pitying Reality Bites / Garden State bullshit, it's a helluva lot of fun. And we can all relate (can't we?) to dead end jobs, debt, being hungover and calling in sick, showing up for work with bloodshot eyes and an overall sense of displacement. Most of the songs are sung from the perspective of "we," which enhances the inclusive vibe of the record.
Musically, the band plays with familiar sounds, but moves on before you have a chance to nail it down. It might be a piano part that evokes the Stones, or a short guitar riff that makes you think of Neil Young. When they sing about being timeless, is it an allusion to Badfinger?
The quartet fills out their sound on several songs with contributions from Jillinda Palmer and Jonathan Price from I Make This Sound. Dave Newton (the Mighty Lemon Drops) and Joe Napolitano (from label mates, Le Switch) produced the record.
Ever wonder what the Hold Steady would be like if they grew up listening to Neil Young and Pavement instead of the Boss? Even if you haven't, For Cheap or For Free is highly recommended.
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