The TapeOp Magazine review of our debut self-titled LP:

Tape Op magazine

"Under The Radar" review column by Matt Mair Lowry

"Clavilux- Clavilux (CD-R) Olympia-based instrumental duo Clavilux lay down the gauntlet on this self-titled disc, setting high expectations with cool cover art and song titles that reference hip cultural icons like Brian Eno and Orson Welles ("Oblique Strategies" and "Mr. Arkadin", respectively). Spin this disc up and what swells from the speakers doesn't disappoint. Bill Thomas and Peter Jansen's inventive songs and authoritative playing evoke (but don't imitate) everyone from Eno to The Ventures to Booker T. to The Cure and create moods both triumphant and somber. Clavilux recorded these songs over a couple of years on either 8 or 16 tracks of 16-bit ADAT through a Mackie 8 Buss. When they began to compile the tunes, Jansen transferred the tracks to a Mac G4 through a MOTU 2408 and mixed with MOTU's Audiodesk and Digital Performer. Ultimately, though, the magic of this disc is not the result of editing or the recording medium. Itís the strong performances and sounds (a variety of vintage amps, guitars and drums) captured at the beginning of the process. "By starting with something that sounded good at the beginning of the recording chain, it was possible to sort of 'push through' what is, frankly, mid-level semi-pro recording equipment and get something that sounds pretty decent at the other end," said Jansen. It is those sounds, and their creative interplay, that grant Clavilux a comfortable spot on the CD shelf next to the bands that inspired them."

- Tape Op issue #29