THE RISING STORM

What a feeling! White Light by the amazing Gene Clark gets right into it, as the best often do. Gene’s discography can be a little confusing to navigate, until you get to this one, where it’s clear that everything hit the finest spot. It’s delicate, intense, and instantly likable, especially for fans of Clark and his defining work with The Byrds and following projects.

The orchestra is basic and authentic: acoustic guitar, a welcoming and strong harmonica, electric bass, brush drum kit, some electric git here and there. Touches of soft organ and bare percussions. This is good American roots music, but you have to understand Gene Clark. There’s always something mysterious and cool going on; it won’t let you call it country music, it has a transcendental value. Regardless of classification, the tunes are downright beautiful, and incredibly singular. Nobody could pull off a Gene Clark tune but the man. The album never drags for careful listeners, becoming anthemic in its elusiveness, causing a weary eyed stare and a gentle shake. It’s so consistent that the killer Tears Of Rage sounds like a whole new piece towards the close of White Light; Gene makes his cover sound more like the imagined original, toned down and less developed, with that haunting minor chord sound. (For songwriters and lovers of fine progressions, Gene Clark is a master!)

This album is dubbed White Light, though the title receives no mention on the sleeve, which is a perfect visualization considering the sounds inside. White Light is subtle, but I promise it can wrap you up and steal you good. It’ll make you sad and wonder why. Highly recommended masterpiece quality material. (The reissue is perfect. Simple and clean, good bonus tracks, affordable and great sounding.)

“White Light”

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