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Album Review: High Times in the Dark by The Claudettes

This Chicago quartet blends jazz, blues and indie rock for a sound they call "garage cabaret" featuring the streamlined match of sultry Berit Ulseth's lead vocals and Johnny Iguana's adventurous keyboard work. The overall feel is eclectic and slightly kitschy, with a strong groove. The contributions of bassist-guitarist-vocalist Zack Verdoom and drummer Michael Caskey create a sound that is very loose, yet refined. They run the gamut from smooth to gritty and soulful on rockers like "Bad Babe, Losing Touch" and "Creeper Weed." Ulseth's take on the ballad "The Sun Will Fool You" is worth the price of admission.

Distributed by: Forty Below Records

Produced by: Ted Hutt