Gene Clark

A decent country album, nothing special. The harmonica is mixed a little too sharply, and can sometimes hurt your ears. Simple and easygoing music, but nothing crazy or original that caught my attention. Lovely sounding stuff though.

Dutch rock critics picked this over Led Zeppelin IV which was also a 1971 record. Shows you what critics know. It's fine, it's a style that has been done to death. I hear some basic music and basic lyrics. Not hearing anything innovative or worth a re-listen. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

I am utterly fascinated by the briskness and certainty with which Wikipedia insists on informing me that this album achieved commercial success **ONLY** in The Netherlands. I am fascinated for two reasons: firstly, why has Wikipedia deemed this piece of information second sentence worthy? Secondly, how did Gene Clark (of The Byrds) manage to release an album that was, implicitly, a commercial failure everywhere *except* for The Netherlands. I have decided to do a (small) amount of research into this, instead of just reviewing the fucking album.

I have discovered, per Dutch professor of sociology, Mel Van Elteren, that,

"All kinds of American popular music have been embraced by large groups in the Netherlands during the postwar era. One major exception to this general tendency is country and western music. Although its various brands, from old-time music to country-rock, do have their enthusiastic groups of Dutch aficionados, none of these draws a really large audience, comparable to, let's say, middle-of-the-road pop music, rock, or even rap music. Country is hardly visible or audible in the public realm."

This is a little helpful, but mostly just confusing. Am I to believe that niche, sub-cultural interest in Americana on the part of the Dutch public is enough to constitute a commercial success in the eyes of Gene Clark's label? It is possible, but still doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Also, while I haven't taken a particularly close look at this facet, I have also found discussions about "Dutch Americana". This leads me to believe that Americana originating from The Netherlands is at least prevalent enough to warrant a unique genre descriptor, which may be an indicator that the country has *some* broader interest in the genre. Similarly, I have discovered that several (fairly recent) Eurovision performances from The Netherlands have been Americana inspired, which is another point in favor of public interest. However, this is just about everything I can find on this topic without expending resources on actual literature regarding the subject. So I will call it for now with the tentative conclusion that the success of White Light by Gene Clark in, and only in, The Netherlands *may* make some small amount of sense.

Anyways, we're here to discuss whether on not this is any good. And it's fine. Gene Clark's take on Americana is not particularly inventive or unique, but the songs here are largely well-written and well-performed. A couple of psychedelic flourishes mix things up now and then, but this is mostly meat and potatoes folk rock. Which is to say, if you like folk rock, this will keep you fed, and you'll probably find something to enjoy. But if you're not sold on the genre, White Light probably won't change anything. Although, I would like to mention the lyricism here before wrapping up. Even though his style of writing isn't exactly new, he does manage to pen a few really exceptional images. but all in all, I thought this was fine. I'm kind of baffled by how much this website's top reviews of this album seem to absolutely hate it. Much in the same way that I'm kind of baffled by how The Netherlands alone seemed to love it.

Some parts were ok but a bit too country for me

3.43

Not offensive but just generic cheesy early 70's empty uninspired folk.

This was great. I had no knowledge of anything Clark did outside of the Byrds, but this is right there with anything Crosby, McGuinn, or even Gram Parsons ever did. Loved it. Also, fuckin' great harmonica on this record.

Started alright but then got quite boring quite fast

If I ever need to be lulled to sleep, this is the album I'll put on.

A very comforting album. Maybe it's the acoustic guitar and harmonica, but I see myself sitting by a fire pit in the desert with a glass of red wine in hand, listening to this album.

Some of these tracks are literally “we have Bob Dylan at home” songs. And others sound like they were written by whatever teenage guitar shop employee first taught Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) how to play guitar licks. Then there are times like “Where My Love Lies Asleep” where I can hear exactly how Neil Young would sing the song in his signature falsetto, but Gene Clark doesn’t have that kind of dynamism. If you think all of those artists are OK, then this middle-of-the-road folk album might be the OK-est way to aim all of that apathy at one record.
Folk music for people who have only ever said “scrambled” when asked how they want their eggs cooked.

Ironically, the song “Tears Of Rage” started playing while I was wrapping up the thoughts above (yes, I’m only 1/2 way through my listen). Quite apropos.

Edit: I’ve now heard his version of “Stand By Me” and feel completely vindicated about my previous notes.

This album is so bad. The music is bad and simple, the lyrics are laughable, the fucking harmonica is relentless, all the songs sound the same. I just hate everything about this. It's like he's trying to be James Taylor but absolutely failing in all regards. I did like the guitar solo on 1975 and I mean at least he's playing real instruments and this was long before autotune so it's not without its checks in the pro box but I really struggled to get through this one. Maybe I'm just grumpy today but I don't think that's it. 1.5/5

A pleasant and low key record which is ultimately a bit one note for the running time. I could have done with Gene letting rip at some points but though it’s clearly emotional and smart it’s also restrained.

Pleasant enough for early seventies folk rock - a bit Dylanesque, but not aggressively so - but it's one of those albums that slipped out of my head entirely as soon as my streaming switched to another artist. I mean, *technically* I listened to it before I died, right? Even if it didn't stick?

I really enjoyed the other Gene Clark album 'No Other' which features on this list. But whilst that album was brimming with creativity, this one is much more straight down the line folk/country and far less interesting for it. The song 1975 is the high point for me with it's repetitive but funky bassline, I also quite liked the closing song Winter In. The low - Stand by me, just dull dull dull. Most of this is a pleasant listen but pretty forgettable. At times (White Light) it felt like Gene was imitating Bob Dylan. Nicely recorded and played by all musicians involved. Sorry, Gene.

I remember really liking No Other (still do!) so I was looking forward to listening to this. Unfortunately, this disappointed me. He just spends so much time trying to be Dylan without carving out an identity for himself. Best songs here were For A Spanish Guitar and Tears of Rage.

Never as good as the original stuff from The Byrds is it? Pleasant enough folky-country rock, that - to be clear - I enjoyed but - equally - would not have been sad at missing out on entirely.

The most 3 star album I've given 3 stars to

Gentle country rock. Beautiful songs and spare arrangements.

This did nothing for me other than a couple of nice harmonica and twangy guitar solos. I've heard better folk albums on this challenge, and I'm usually a certified folk hater. Not offensive or anything though.

I liked his album "No Other" from 1974, generally considered to be his masterpiece. This one was ok, but nothing about it stood out much. He has a good voice and his songs are fine, but nothing that makes me go "wow, I need to hear this again." Also, a lot of the lyrics are kinda meh. Favorite tracks: With Tomorrow, One in a Hundred (especially the ending), 1975 (really liked the end guitar solo - the chord progression in the verse and final section of 1975 reminded me of George Harrison's Isn't It a Pity, which came out in the prior year, but it's certainly distinct enough).