MacLean and Hornsey began collaborating musically while still in school, after MacLean saw that Hornsey had written the name of the band Felt on his pencil case. The band formed in 1991, with the current lineup along with Innes Phillips, who shared singing and songwriting duties with MacLean. The band recorded an album's worth of material but failed to get any label interest. Innes left the band (and would go on to found The Relict); the rest of the group re-formed in 1997, and they released a number of singles that were eventually collected on Suburban Light (2000). The Violet Hour (2003) was their first album proper, which again saw great acclaim, but, as yet, little commercial success. August 2005 saw the release of their second full album, Strange Geometry. Draisey joined the band in 2006 just in time for band's second tour of the States.
The band is more successful in America, where they are signed to Merge Records, home of bands such as Lambchop and Spoon, than in their native Britain.
Their music is noted for its reverb-rich production and MacLean's distinctive breathy vocals and jangly guitar playing. Their lyrics take a strong inspiration from surrealist literature and art from the early 20th century. "We Could Walk Together" quotes a line ("like a silver ring thrown into the flood of my heart") from a 1928 poem by French surrealist Joe Bousquet; the song "What Goes Up" quotes the poem "Stupidity Street" by Ralph Hodgson in its entirety.
The song "I Can't Seem To Make You Mine" from their album "Strange Geometry" is used in the movie "The Lake House" (2006).
Their album 'God Save The Clientele' was released on May 8th 2007. 'Bonfires on the Heath' followed in 2009, and 'Minotaur' in 2010. Their last one, 'Music For The Age Of Miracles' was released on september 22th.
http://www.theclientele.co.uk/
Sketch
The Clientele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dummy
Bells
Sheaves
Glass
Canary
Diorama
Abridgment
Spectre
Taxonomy
Moors
Construct
Sunlight
Horse
Transience
Cedar
Phenomena
Watcher
Ribbon
Bonfire
System
Heath
Sketch
Bandstand
The Clientele's song "Sketch" is a poetic exploration of nature, memory, and the fleeting transience of life. The lyrics bring together a diverse array of images and concepts, ranging from pastoral scenes of bandstands and moors to more abstract ideas like specters and taxonomies. Through this rich tapestry of language, the song captures the complex and often contradictory experiences of existence.
One of the central themes of the song is the way that time and impermanence impact human life. The images of moors and specters suggest a sense of haunting and lost time, while the references to bonfires and sunlight highlight the fleeting beauty of the natural world. Meanwhile, the repeated use of the word "sketch" emphasizes the provisional and incomplete nature of our attempts to capture and understand the world around us. Ultimately, the song suggests that our efforts to make sense of our lives and surroundings are always incomplete, but nevertheless valuable.
Overall, "Sketch" is a haunting and enigmatic work of poetry that invites the listener to contemplate the beauty and mystery of the world around us. Its vivid imagery and rich wordplay make for a powerful listening experience that rewards repeated listening and interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Bandstand
A place for entertainment and performances
Dummy
A replica or imitation
Bells
Musical instruments that produce chimes
Sheaves
Bundles of cut stems or ears of grain
Glass
A transparent material that can refract and reflect light
Canary
A type of small bird often kept as pets
Diorama
A miniature model or scene often used for display
Cutlery
Utensils used for cutting, preparing or serving food
Abridgment
A shortened or condensed version of a larger work
Spectre
A ghost or apparition
Taxonomy
The classification of living organisms
Moors
A type of wild, open land often found in Northern Europe
Construct
To build or create
Sunlight
The light and heat that comes from the sun
Horse
A four-legged animal often used for riding or work purposes
Transience
The quality of being temporary or not lasting
Cedar
A type of tree with a distinct scent often used for building and furniture
Phenomena
A fact or situation that can be observed or experienced
Watcher
A person or animal that observes or keeps watch over something
Ribbon
A thin strip of material often used for decoration or tying
Bonfire
A large, open fire often used for warmth, cooking, or ceremonial purposes
System
A set of interconnected parts or processes that work together
Heath
An area of open, uncultivated land with low-growing vegetation
Sketch
A rough or initial version of a drawing or design
Contributed by Miles P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.