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Clinic
Walking With Thee
label: Domino
released: 03.05.02
our score: 3.5 out of 5.0
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If it weren't
for Radiohead's invitation for Clinic to join them in their European
Kid A tour, Clinic may have been sadly relegated to a
life of musical obscurity. Thanks to the support of what is arguably
the biggest band in the world, however, Clinic has been slowly
building a worldwide fanbase.
Their debut
album, Internal Wrangler, set many people scratching
their heads wondering just what to make of this doctor-costume-wearing
ensemble. Sure, it was another take on 60's and 70's style garage
rock, but it was a really fucked up take. Featuring a
raw, underproduced guitar sound, nearly untillegible lyrics, and
(for some strange reason) a healthy dose of harmonica, Internal
Wrangler was still somehow unbeliveably catching, not to
mention one of the "hip" records of the year.
Now Walking
With Thee, on the other hand, finds the band cleaning up
their sound (but not making it too clean), keeping the
lyrics basically unintelligible, and incorporating a healthy dose
of steady dancehall beats. Oh, and there's harmonica too.
The biggest
difference this time around though is the lucky coincidence of
the recent 70's rock revival. Bands like The Strokes, The Hives,
The White Stripes, and so on have been pushing this revival into
the foreground, and the even more recent MTV backing of this music
is helping to further the cause. But be forewarned, Clinic is
none of these bands.
Instead it's
eerie as all hell, and it's way f'ing better. Past Clinic fans
may argue they've cleaned up a bit too much, or they're just not
as orginal as they once were on the rhythm side. The truth of
the matter, however, is Walking With Thee is a damn fine
album. They're on their way to something big, I'll tell you now.
Consider them
garage-rock for the music snob generation. Just get be sure to
get into them now - so you can say you were listening to them
before they were cool.
08-Sep-2002
9:04 PM
If you
liked Walking With Thee...
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| Tracklist:
1. Harmony
2. Equaliser
3. Welcome
4. Walking With Thee
5. Pet Eunuch
6. Mr. Moonlight
7. Come into Our Room
8. Vulture
9. Bridge
10. Sunlight Bathes Our Home
11. For the Wars
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