Anyone with an interest in the work of Paul Simpson and The Wild Swans might disagree with Clair Obscur’s ‘French goths’ tag (though they often drift into dark, murky waters), instead recognising the vocal stylings that they provide. Among the rare single, compilation and unreleased tracks that appeared on the Apocalyptic Vision-released CD, A Collection Of Isolated Tracks 1982-1988, in 1995, this double-LP also features an extra 13 tracks.
Clair Obscur’s name possibly derives from a technique of using light and shade in pictorial representation. Lo and behold, much of this is best described as being the musical equivalent. Sadly, the sound quality has similar peaks and troughs, with some of the rarer tracks being a mite ropey. Collectors will appreciate the rarities, while fans of 80s electro in general will be delighted in discovering the rest. There are only 600 copies of this album available.
