Clams Casino
General
| Sep 2025
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2025-09-24
Reviewed 2025-09-24
“Clams Casino” Brian Dunne
Indie folk and pop rock singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. 5th album from the artist, who’s also a member of the band, Fantastic Cat. Dunne is known for his “darkly humorous, introspective lyrics,” set to catchy pop melodies. His tunes are reminiscent of the best of the late 1960s and early 1970s, built around guitar, bass, drums and piano with a touch of synth or organ. The ten tracks — all about 3 minutes long — make telling and touching observations about life’s little details and how we all find our way. RIYL: Paul Simon, a lower-key Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel or even Father John Misty.
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 4, 9, 6, 2, 3. FCC on Track 11
1. (3:17) Clams Casino — Catchy lead single with chugging guitar, plinking piano and bright, upbeat choruses. ****
2. (3:17) Rockland County — Rocker in a Tom Petty style. Blends lighter moments with slightly edgier guitars. Cynical musings about leaving NYC for the suburbs in Rockland County. ***
3. (2:56) Graveyard — Leisurely paced Americana. Guitar and continuous ‘finger-snaps.’ Horns near the end. ***
4. (3:14) Play The Hits — Swinging pop rock with George Harrison-like guitar licks. Lyrics about being an aging musician realizing that his time is rapidly passing him by. ****
5. (3:06) Fake Version Of The Real Thing — Playful, toe-tapping, softer rock. Nice, harmonized vocals in the choruses. Ends suddenly.
6. (3:06) Some Room Left — Wistful and dreamy. Shimmering, jangly guitar. Lovely, lilting vocals. ****
7. (3:10) Gracie Mansion — Road song feeling. Rapidly strummed guitar. Some quieter moments that give way to louder, fuller arrangements.
8. (2:54) I Watched The Light — Folk, verging on Americana or alt country. Strummed guitar and a picked instrument, perhaps a mandolin? Creative bass line moves the song along.
9. (3:33) Max’s Kansas City (Clean Edit) — Starts very softly. Bouncy and fun, with stomping and clapping. Clever lines referencing Max’s, the now defunct, legendary NYC restaurant and nightclub. ****
10. (3:35) Living It Backwards — Thoughtful and somewhat sentimental closer. Sustained synth or organ, with strummed guitar and a big beat. Possibly a hint of pedal steel? Big guitar in the lead break.
11. (3:33) Max’s Kansas City (Unedited) — FCC: piss — Unedited version of Track 9.
Indie folk and pop rock singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. 5th album from the artist, who’s also a member of the band, Fantastic Cat. Dunne is known for his “darkly humorous, introspective lyrics,” set to catchy pop melodies. His tunes are reminiscent of the best of the late 1960s and early 1970s, built around guitar, bass, drums and piano with a touch of synth or organ. The ten tracks — all about 3 minutes long — make telling and touching observations about life’s little details and how we all find our way. RIYL: Paul Simon, a lower-key Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel or even Father John Misty.
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 4, 9, 6, 2, 3. FCC on Track 11
1. (3:17) Clams Casino — Catchy lead single with chugging guitar, plinking piano and bright, upbeat choruses. ****
2. (3:17) Rockland County — Rocker in a Tom Petty style. Blends lighter moments with slightly edgier guitars. Cynical musings about leaving NYC for the suburbs in Rockland County. ***
3. (2:56) Graveyard — Leisurely paced Americana. Guitar and continuous ‘finger-snaps.’ Horns near the end. ***
4. (3:14) Play The Hits — Swinging pop rock with George Harrison-like guitar licks. Lyrics about being an aging musician realizing that his time is rapidly passing him by. ****
5. (3:06) Fake Version Of The Real Thing — Playful, toe-tapping, softer rock. Nice, harmonized vocals in the choruses. Ends suddenly.
6. (3:06) Some Room Left — Wistful and dreamy. Shimmering, jangly guitar. Lovely, lilting vocals. ****
7. (3:10) Gracie Mansion — Road song feeling. Rapidly strummed guitar. Some quieter moments that give way to louder, fuller arrangements.
8. (2:54) I Watched The Light — Folk, verging on Americana or alt country. Strummed guitar and a picked instrument, perhaps a mandolin? Creative bass line moves the song along.
9. (3:33) Max’s Kansas City (Clean Edit) — Starts very softly. Bouncy and fun, with stomping and clapping. Clever lines referencing Max’s, the now defunct, legendary NYC restaurant and nightclub. ****
10. (3:35) Living It Backwards — Thoughtful and somewhat sentimental closer. Sustained synth or organ, with strummed guitar and a big beat. Possibly a hint of pedal steel? Big guitar in the lead break.
11. (3:33) Max’s Kansas City (Unedited) — FCC: piss — Unedited version of Track 9.
Recent airplay
Clams Casino
Comes to Mind — Jan 21, 2026
Clams Casino
KZSU Time Traveler — Jan 09, 2026
Play The Hits
KZSU Time Traveler — Jan 02, 2026
Clams Casino
KZSU Time Traveler — Dec 26, 2025
Rockland County
Music Casserole — Dec 20, 2025
Play The Hits
KZSU Time Traveler — Dec 19, 2025
Charting
2025-09-29 — 2026-01-01
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jan 4 | 1 |
| Dec 28 | 2 |
| Dec 21 | 3 |
| Dec 14 | 1 |
| Dec 7 | 2 |
| Nov 30 | 1 |
| Nov 23 | 1 |
| Nov 16 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Clams Casino | ||
| 2. | Rockland County | ||
| 3. | Graveyard | ||
| 4. | Play The Hits | ||
| 5. | Fake Version Of The Real Thing | ||
| 6. | Some Room Left | ||
| 7. | Gracie Mansion | ||
| 8. | I Watched The Light | ||
| 9. | Max's Kansas City (Clean Edit) | ||
| 10. | Living It Backwards | ||
| 11. | Max's Kansas City (Unedited) |