The Clientele - The Violet Hour

Merge Records is reissuing The Clientele's debut album, The Violet Hour, on vinyl for the first time.  Long out of print and highly sought after since its original UK release on Pointy Records in 2003, this reissue is a welcome addition to the band's discography.

Following the resounding success of Suburban Light, the 2001 compilation of The Clientele's early singles and EPs, fans were eager to hear what the trio—Alasdair MacLean (guitar, vocals), Mark Keen (drums, piano), and James Hornsey (bass)—could achieve with a full-length studio album. The result was stunning, blending '60s psychedelia and modern fuzz-pop with subtle jazz influences.

Decades later, The Violet Hour remains an iconic album in their catalog, not only perfecting the sound that made the band a cult phenomenon, but also revealing a newfound depth. After its release, it was no longer possible to consider them one of indie pop's best-kept secrets. The Clientele were, and still are, one of the most important figures in the genre, and The Violet Hour was, and remains, one of their most vital statements: a vibrant invitation to their unique world.