Charles Klamut

Charles Klamut

Daydream
self-released; 2013

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

As it says on Charles Klamut’s Bandcamp page, he is a person, a musician and a priest. Now before you make any assumptions about his relationship with god and how it affects his music - don’t. The music Klamut writes on his album Daydream has more in common with Radiohead and Pink Floyd than Christian rock. According to Klamut he makes existential alt-rock that attempts to put some sort of sonic form to the crazy desires, longings and struggles of the inner self, which in my opinion might make for one interesting record.

One thing holding back the album from the start is the production. The recording of the instruments isn't great, and the mix is muddy but despite these issues Klamut delivers a couple of solid songs that are impressive.

The album kicks things off with “In The Basement,” which is a psychedelic concoction of guitar, manipulated distorted vocal fragments and drums that hang very low in the mix. Towards the end of the song it flattens out making room for Klamut’s voice and some warm sounding orchestral strings. I was impressed by the ambition and structure of the first track and hoped things would stay on a similar path. 


The second song “Frightful Beauty” has a stronger lead vocal part and sticks to a more traditional structure. Klamut sings “frightful beauty we have captured unsullied sadness before the song” during the chorus. “Daydream” is a solid song but falls apart when it tries to fit too many things into the mix and Klamut tries to sing above his octave range. ”Face of Free Man” starts off on a much better footing. It’s a sparse mix with a very nice acoustic guitar riff and Klamut sings in range that works for him. He occasionally strays from his best attributes but does a good overall job on this song.

Klamut closes the album with “Not Ashamed Of You,” which might sound a bit similar to something you would hear at Sunday worship and it also has a beneficial female accompaniment.

Although there are a number of flaws throughout this album I enjoyed Klamut’s conviction, ambition and ability to explore different sonic possibilities.  He is a gifted songwriter exploring diverse territory. 

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