Helena’s Regan Clancy, a self-taught guitarist and songwriter, has released an album of rockin’ originals. Clancy, who has fronted various bands and enjoyed a solo career ever since he picked up a guitar at 16, is also the bassist for the synth-punk-disco band Hard Hugs.
His “indie folk rock” amalgam is heavy with fuzzed–up guitar and pretty melodies. He is joined here on various tracks by Jon Anderson, drums; Joshua Loveland, pedal steel, keyboards and horns; Ryan Rebo, bass; and Lenny Eckhardt, keys. Harmony vocals are courtesy of Jennifer Murphy.
Clancy counts among his influences older bands like Nada Surf, and current groups such as Parquet Courts and Broken Social Scene. He admires the Beatles, too, and Built to Spill, with its heavy electric guitar sound, has also played a role in his writing.
“Losing Steam” has a mesmerizing, Beatle-esque riff and dreamy layers. “Do You Feel” has a slowly rockin’ feel and building energy; and “Gravity,” featuring just guitar and drums, has massive, Bonanza-sounding guitar chords.
“Race to the Middle,” with its cool intro riff of hi-hat and guitar, is an uptempo rocker. And “Love to Share” is a tightly wrapped cooker with sci-fi guitar effects to open. Clancy sings, “You’re part of the working class now, you settled on a heart of glass.”
Clancy’s robust baritone and guitar chops are perfect for rock ‘n roll, and, like his promo states, you should turn up the volume!
Visit him on Facebook.
– Mariss McTucker