High Times in the Dark in Bloomington, MN

High Times in the Dark
opens with an ornate piano run from chief
Claudette
Johnny Iguana
, a flourish that brings to mind
Steve Nieve
's work with
the Attractions
, particularly on
Elvis Costello
's
Trust
. It's a dramatic progression from the gleefully grimy blues-and-boogie that characterized earlier albums by
the Claudettes
, a bit of flair that brings the group's self-definition of "garage cabaret" into sharp relief, and that's even before vocalist
Berit Ulseth
has sung her first note. The rest of that song, "Bad Babe, Losin' Touch," proceeds with a stylish, deliberate swagger that sets the tone for the carnival that follows.
is filled with clever, soulful rock & roll that's rooted in blues, jazz, and R&B but veers toward classic pop: music that's designed to be played in the heart of the night but is snappy and catchy enough to shine brightly during the day. Working with producer
Ted Hutt
,
have sharpened their aesthetic and
(aka
Brian Berkowitz
) has tightened his writing, a refinement that helps
Ulseth
command attention with her lithe vocals. She plays with her phrasing like a jazz singer but keeps her focus on the stories of the songs, sounding as convincing on the MeToo takedown "Declined" as she does on the sly rocker "Grandkids, Wave Bye-Bye." It all adds up to a vibrant listening experience, one that feels fresh even as it flirts with the past. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine