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"On Sideshow Unattraction, James Clark, namesake singer-songwriter for Toronto folk-rock outfit The James Clark Institute, laments the drowning death of his heart on 'Lake Monona Last Night' and reminisces on the acoustic ballad "Monstrous" (shout out to Neil Young's greatest hits and REM on cassette), in the Thailand-laden imagery of "Bettie Page Rides A Donkey" and declares his wish on the sprightly 'Girl Heroine.' The guy should start writing a novel."
- Karen Bliss
- Freelance Music Journalist
“Here is a left–field gem that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1971 off of Sunset Boulevard. This is a vaguely country-rock-ish styled CD that is grounded firmly in the sounds of sunny California from another time. The songs embrace bathes the inner ear in an elegant hushed warm surrender to their charms. Very highly recommended.”
- Bruce Brodeen
- Not Lame Recordings
“…one of Canada’s finest and highly individual songwriters.”
- Colin Lynch
- RCAT International Online Music Magazine.
"...a witty, concise and sometimes acerbic lyricist with moving, memorable and often hilarious songs".
- Blair Packham
- Producer; Singer/Songwriter; Composer; Educator.
Not to be confused with Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), The James Clark Institute is a lyrical Toronto band compared to Bob Dylan circa 1966 meets Elvis Costello. Singer/songwriter/musician James Clark confronts the ghosts from his past and puts them to song, twisting and turning his own personal demons into witty, rootsy pop tunes.
2004’s ‘Home is Where the Heart Attack is’ received airplay on campus radio across Canada and charted in Ontario. Tracks from the CD also received airplay and widespread recognition on several internet radio stations. ‘The Worst Photograph Ever Taken Of Me’ hit 5 on MP3unsigned.com operating out of the U.K. and the CD reached 3 on the Pop Album charts of MP3.com.au based In Australia.
The James Clark Institute’s latest release Sideshow Unattraction, is a theatrical, esoteric journey into a world of carnival illusion, heartbreak, melancholy wit and bitter double entendre. Upon its release in May of ’09, the CD charted on Canadian campus radio and has recently been added to Not Lame Recording’s roster of independent releases.
James Clark is joined by a brand new line-up featuring Michael Hussey, formerly of the iconic garage trio The Sin-Tones, on guitar; Toronto based folk punker Timothy Cameron on bass; and Brad Holy, drummer for singer/songwriter Amer Diab.
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