Sadly underrated
04/19/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Once known as Snatches of Pink (whose classic records Dead Men and Bent With Prey deserve reissue), North Carolina's Clarissa combine impressionistic lyrics (songwriter Michael Rank is heavily influenced by Romantic poetry)and folky melodies with emotion-drenched vocals, loud rock guitars and powerful drumming. Blood and Commons is their most fully realized effort, with great songs like "Heavened," "Powder Blue," "In Winter" and "All But White," which are both wistful and supercharged at once. The work of Rank and friends is sadly underrated and deserves much more attention. This album is a great place to start."