“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is Klute’s fifth full length recording, and, as has become tradition, is split across two distinct CDs of music, one focusing on D&B, the other a more abstract electronic form. His D&B style on this release seem to pull more input from his punk influences than previous releases, with “Toiler” sounding like The Stranglers at the wrong speed, spitting guitars slashing through loudly snapping drums. When he reverts back to the moodier, digital aura that he’s made his own, it really shines (“Flight”, “Freedom Come”, the jazzy “Property Is Theft” or the lush, old-school “Leader”). The second CD again flits between dark, grittily snarling electronica and more introspective grooves, highlights including “Only Memory Is A Good One” and the chunky “Tight Black Pants”. Klute would definitely benefit from some quality control with final track selection – two CDs of material it’s impossible to avoid some filler material slipping in – but if you’re a fan of his sound, the man is definitely spoiling you with his extravaganze.
3 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Darren Wall
