On paper Clayhill look like they should blow our minds. Founded by Ali Friend and Ted Barnes when the pair were working with Beth Orton, their lead vocalist, Gavin Clark, has previous form with bluesy rock band Sunhouse. The album was co-produced by Simon Burwell, whose work includes Damon Albarn’s Mali Music project. The gang was assembled, all that remained was to execute the perfect musical heist.
Somewhere along the way, though, things went awry. Mine At Last is a competent debut, but given the personnel involved it should have been a lot more. Perhaps it’s the fact that everything sounds so low-key, as if the band have just woken from a mid-afternoon siesta. The unusual drumbeat and husky vocals of ‘One Nerve’ are intriguing but unengaging, while the funky riffs of ‘Halfway Across’ almost bring to mind indie stalwarts Gomez ‘ almost, but not quite.
In the end Mine At Last falls just short of expectations, not actually bad, but not enticing enough to make you sit up and beg for more. It’s a good start, but there’s some distance to travel yet. [DC] ???
