Brian Dunne’s fifth album, Clams Casino, is a bold and exhilarating step forward, balancing conviction with self-doubt in a way that makes it deeply relatable. The record wrestles with big questions—what do we really want, and do we deserve it?—all while wrapping these existential musings in exuberant, hook-filled pop-rock.
Best known as a member of the playful, folksy rock group Fantastic Cat, Dunne shines solo by channeling the spirit of Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. His crystal-clear tenor and sharp songwriting bring energy to every track, making Clams Casino feel like a modern classic rock record. Compared to his 2023 release Loser on the Ropes, this album is more ambitious and consistently rewarding, with songs that sound urgent and alive, as if everything depends on them.
Tracks like “Rockland County” showcase Dunne’s witty edge, mixing humor and sincerity as he weighs suburban comforts against artistic authenticity. Meanwhile, “Some Room Left” nods to Joel’s “Summer, Highland Falls,” proving Dunne isn’t afraid to swim in the waters of legends—and succeed. Even when his lyrics brim with uncertainty (the closing “Living It Backwards” admits, “I’m still not sure what I’m after”), the music itself feels assured, with soaring guitars and tight sequencing that echo the golden age of rock.
Funny, heartfelt, and wise, Clams Casino captures the contradictions of modern life—yearning for more while questioning it all. It’s the kind of album that makes you root for its protagonist and hum along at the same time: a triumphant winner’s album for the self-proclaimed losers.
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