Clairmel
Fair Weather Fan
No Idea
If you’ve been around the Florida punk scene for a few years, then you’ve probably heard of Clairmel, because they’ve been around too. Ironically, I first heard a recorded version of Clairmel on Chicago-based Polyvinyl Records’ Directions comp a couple years back. Their song “Enzo” is one of my favorites on that comp, which is saying a lot considering bands like Braid and Back of Dave are there, too.
Fair Weather Fan, which includes “Enzo,” is thirteen songs of straightforward, catchy, hyper punk, and well-written lyrics to boot. The opening lines of “Three on the Tree” just won’t leave my head. This is what Jawbreaker might sound like if they had two guitars that rarely play the same exact thing and even more snare rolls from the drummer.
Clairmel have eschewed perfection for energy on this recording, which is a good approach for their sound, I think. If you get a chance to see them live and like what you hear, you’ll no doubt like this recording as well. Of course, this is available on vinyl too, both with great overlaid cover art. No Idea Records, P.O. Box 14636, Gainesville, FL 32604-4636.
