Introducing: Clues

Name: Clues
From: Montréal, Québec
Story: Alden Penner once was born a Unicorn, now he looks for Clues
Sound: Dense and dark, tangled up in the '90s

The Unicorns had the kind of live-fast-die-young existence that, in time, could lend itself to happy mythologizing. Formed in Victoria, British Columbia by teenage pals Alden 'Ginger' Penner and Nick 'Diamonds' Thorburn, The Unicorns relocated to Montréal, resulted in one heavily-hyped, widely-loved debut album, 2003's Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?, then broke up, with much acrimony, in 2004.

Since then, Thorburn has been incredibly prolific, releasing two albums as Islands whilst tending to side projects Th' Corn Gangg, Reefer, and Human Highway. He's also been incredibly public, gaining notoriety as a loudmouth interviewer happy to dish out on other bands (Vampire Weekend, for one).

Penner, the soft-spoken, polite, intensely serious Unicorn, has taken half a decade to front up with his first follow-up band, Clues. Helmed by he and one-time Arcade Fire member Brendan Reed, Clues make dense, dexterous, ambitious guitar-rock that has the shadowy, claustrophobic, slightly foggy quality of '90s indie records.

Compared to the immediately-pleasing, quickly-disposable blog-music that clogs current release-schedules, this makes Clues' self-titled debut —due for release on May 19 by Constellation— initially seem distant, almost difficult listening. But, like the records they used to make back in the day, it rewards repeat listens, revealing its many details slowly over time.

• Interview: Alden Penner of Clues
• Full Review: Clues, Clues
• Compare Prices: Clues, Clues
• Listen: Clues "Perfect Fit"
• Listen: Clues "Remember Severed Head"
• Top 10 Constellation Albums

Clues Come to You:
16 May: Montreal, QC - Ukranian Federation
21 May: Toronto, ON - Sneaky Dees
22 May: Chicago, IL - Schubas
23 May: Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
25 May: Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret
26 May: Saskatoon, SK - Amigos
27 May: Calgary, AB - Marquee
28 May: Edmonton, AB - Brixx
30 May: Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
31 May: Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
1 June: Seattle, WA - Neumos
2 June: Portland, OR - Backspace
4 June: San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
5 June: Los Angeles, CA - Echo
6 June: Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar
9 June: Dallas, TX - The Loft
10 June: Austin, TX - Stubb's BBQ
11 June: New Orleans, LA - One-Eyed Jack's
12 June: Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
15 June: Washington, DC - Rock n Roll Hotel
16 June: Philadelphia, PA - The Barbary
17 June: New York, NY - Santos Partyhouse