"There are two sides to Clams Casino. The first is the part where singer Brian Dunne is determined in his convictions, railing against the power brokers and show-offs who like to keep the little guy down. Then there's the part where he begins to doubt everything he just said. It's the central tension of Dunne's fifth album, this sense that we should enjoy life and throw caution to the wind, but also, do we really deserve that? And, more broadly, what do we even want?"
"Dunne is one-fourth of the playful, folksy rock band Fantastic Cat, and, on his own, he makes exuberant pop-rock in the vein of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. His songs are studied but very fun, so stuffed with hooks that it's as if each were vying to become your new favorite. His previous album, a 2023 Kill Rock Stars release called Loser on the Ropes, had a few stellar moments, but it wasn't as consistently ambitious as Clams Casino. On this record, Dunne's obvious zeal gives me the same feeling I get from Joel's The Stranger, where every song sounds like his life depends on it, because God knows what happens if something goes wrong."
"Dunne, a tenor with a crystal-clear voice, has a great deal in common with Joel as a songwriter and singer. On Clams Casino's opening title track, Dunne asks, "Is it so bad to want a good thing?" before admitting, "All I want is just a little bit more." It's as if there were another verse in " Movin' Out" where Anthony says, "Actually, I should consider if a Roth IRA is a worthwhile option." Later, "Some Room Left" may be the only song of the 21st century that sounds credibly inspired by " Summer, Highland Falls." There's more to Dunne's music than Joel worship, but it speaks to his talent that he'd swim in a pool where few others bother to play."
Clams Casino centers on a tension between resolute convictions and subsequent self-doubt, pairing populist outrage with moments of personal uncertainty. Brian Dunne crafts exuberant, hook-filled pop-rock that channels influences such as Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty while retaining distinctive melodic drive. The songs combine studied songwriting with energetic performances and clear production, giving some tracks a life-or-death urgency. Dunne's tenor voice and acerbic lyrical edge add emotional range. Earlier work showed promise, but Clams Casino displays more consistent ambition and a willingness to inhabit familiar stylistic territory with notable skill.
Read at Pitchfork
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