In the distant past he was to be found behind a drum-kit, first with Blue In Heaven and later as a member of Glen Hansard’s band. Clarke has since moved closer to the front of the stage, playing keyboards and guitar, collaborating with the likes of Maria Doyle Kennedy and Hothouse Flowers, among others.
The follow-up to his well-received 2010 debutlong player, There Was A Girl, his latest outing reveals that he’s a songwriter and performer to be reckoned with. Clarke’s cracked, fragile vocals veer between Lou Reed’s monotone delivery and Lloyd Cole’s more melodic style. There are hints too of Tindersticks’ Stuart Staples and Bunnyman Ian McCulloch.
The songs are in the main atmospheric and guitar-driven things: the opening title-track is a mid-tempo droning tune with heavily reverbed drums, and instantly engaging. Clocking in at six minutes ‘When I Sleep’ is an epic with yearning sentiments and sonic textures rooted in the ’80s. Lyrically, too, Clarke addresses the big issues: “I need some religion/ I need some faith/ To help me get along with the human race.” Elsewhere, he hits the mark on ‘Roll Away’, with its clipped, almost soulful rhythms.

Key Track: 'Love Is a Wonderful Colour'