Album review: SOMETHING CLEVER – Season of Darkness

[Released 17.03.15]

Something Clever is a band out of Charlotte, NC. They’ve been around a couple years now and have slowly moved from an alt rock sound to more of a modern hard rock/metal outfit. They’ve been on my radar almost a year now, with all intents of getting out and seeing them live. I managed to do that, ironically, for their CD release party for their latest offering Season of Darkness.

It is Part 1 of a two part EP series (Season of Light is due out May of this year.) On stage the band simply blew me away. They have a clear goal and a determined focus. The music live was high energy, powerful, and very melodic. I got the album and was very anxious to give it a spin.

The album opens with this very subdued “Intro” that is very haunting. It leads into the title track which starts with the intense voice of Adam Nelson and this driving guitar riff. It builds into this churning melodic/metallic song with a driving beat behind it. It’s very indicative of what Something Clever is all about. Next was a track the band has had for a while entitled “Freaks Like You.” It starts hard driving then slows to a heavy churner into a very catchy sing-a-long chorus.

This is followed by another hard driving track entitled “Echoes.” I really love the guitar riff on this one during the verses. “Best Laid Plans” is another track the band had previously released as a single. It’s got this anthemic bounce to it that makes one want to throw their fist in the air and sing right along. “The Lie” is the final track on the album. It starts with this quiet piece that slowly builds to this heavy growl and chaotic guitar lick into this hard hitting riff.

The songs are excellent, mostly because they’re written and performed by excellent musicians. Adam Nelson has this very strong voice full of passion and emotion, while bassist Colt Crevar backs him up with these intense growls. The twin guitar riffs of Kelly Flusk and Brett Baker drive home the metal point, and are succinctly punctuated with some very brilliant solos from Flusk. Dylan Roles brings it altogether with his very heavy drums and unique accents he tosses in.

This is not customarily the style of music I go for, but from the moment they hit the stage to the last note of listening to Season of Darkness, I have to admit I am hooked. Something Clever have a bright future ahead for them and I would highly encourage giving them a listen. If you enjoy modern hard rock and metal with a harder edge than most yet maintaining the proper balance of hard and melodic, this is the band for you. ****1/2

Review by Chris Martin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)