One could say that Clinic’s new album, Do It, has all been done before — by the band themselves, in fact. But that’s not a bad thing. This is not to say that it is a predictable recording either. It is frenetic, curious, offbeat and full of big rock riffs. The band has honed their chops to a point where they really come across even more lucid than before, despite their somewhat unhinged approach.
The quirky “fab four” from Liverpool, England have released four previous albums beginning with their Internal Wrangler in 2000. One would think that after five albums, their style would get dull. But to be honest, Clinic sound like no other band on the planet. Much of this is due to their penchant for vintage instruments like their trademark use of a Philips Philicorda organ combined with unusual “off” chord progressions. So for them to release an album that is a “typical” Clinic album is really still saying quite a bit.
The album begins with “Memories,” a big, brash, loud-quiet-loud romp that would make Pixies proud. The guitars start in with a huge thrashing march, along with gigantic pounding drums, beating tambourine & pulsing maracas as Ad Blackburn yells “HUH“ repeatedly; then the song segues into pulsing organ & snake-rattle synth as Blackburn sings with his trademark lisp. It’s a fun song that makes you want to beat the hell out of some inanimate object or at least get up and jump about the room in wild abandon.
“The Witch” was the obvious pick for the lead single with its catchy, twitchy staccato surf guitar, along with a punchy bassline, some plinked keyboards, and snappy snare. It’s quite similar to “The Return Of Evil Bill” off their debut without being a retread.
"The Witch":
The punkabilly hoedown “Shopping Bag” is one of my favorites. It has the most unique freakout of clarinet spasms that do their best to be out of tune and yet fit perfectly into the psychotic feel of the song. If your schizophrenic grandpa went on a spur of the moment shopping trip while on crack, this is what it would sound like. The rest of the band slash and burn through the song with driving guitar, bass & drums. Don’t even ask me what its about, since most of the lyrics are indecipherable due to Blackburn’s raging, acidic falsetto vocals. But does it really matter? Ultimately, it doesn't, since Blackburn’s voice is basically another instrument that adds to the atmosphere of Clinic’s music.
The only real departure from their previous recordings is the final song, the aptly named “Coda.” It’s a lilting anthem that starts with morse-code-like organ, swooshing 'n' spacey synthesizers, methodic melodies, plodding drums, washes of harp and Blackburn’s melancholic “ooh”ing. Soon frenzied guitar adds to the tension. The song has some historical significance to the band (maybe), as Blackburn intones, “This record is a celebration of the 600th anniversary of the Bristol Journal (?), a celebration of sheer joy...” before he lapses back into his lisping incoherency. The peals of chiming bells at the end just add to the pomp and circumstance of the song.
"Corpus Christi"(a track I didn't write about but like):
I could go on describing these songs but if you’ve heard any of Clinic’s other albums, then you know what you’re in for, and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? For Clinic, Do It is business as usual. But fortunately for us, Clinic’s business is still quite unusual.
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"Memories"
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Nice review triplet, not my style though.
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cool , sounds good...I think they are due here in Gainesville soon...
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This band is completely new to me, August - loved the two vids & I will be back for more!
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Thanks Tripletta, kinda surprised they're not your style.
Cam you can check out their tour itinerary on the link I provided at the bottom of my post. Glad you like the songs mang!
Dar completely new to you huh? I thought you would be up on these guys. Glad I could introduce you to them.
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I think I've found one of my new favs.
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Adam, hope so! They are certainly worthy of being a favorite.
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This feels like a return to form for Clinic, after a fairly forgettable album in Visitations. Love them at their peak, and "The Witch" is as good a single as they've produced.
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I haven't really heard much of "Visitations", just a few samples of songs off it, so I don't know if it was a forgettable album. You may very well be right though Dale. I actually think their are much better songs on this than "The Witch", although it is a great song. Have you heard the entire album?
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No, haven't given the whole thing a spin, but it's on the Gigabeat, so it's in line with everything else. So much music, so little time.
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Definitely!
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Thank you for the review, uncle A. Clinic fan here, and just like Dale, I need to give this a proper spin. Boy oh boy, you lose contact with new music for 2 months and new albums pile up to form a mountain!
PS Witch is bloody good to my ears.
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Saw them last year supporting The Arcade Fire...or was it Interpol? Anyway, it was funny to see a audience who mostly did not know who they where, but where obviously intrigued by the music and slightly confused by the bands uniform. This new album is sounding good... ;)
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Yvw Anna. Yes, you will love this album, so spin it round round baby like a record. I can't even imagine losing my internet connection for 2 months! I'd be lost, lost I tell you.
Neill I bet they were great live. I hope to catch them one of these days. Those uniforms would confuse people I'm sure.
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You and these reviews are not helping my list of things to listen to or...maybe you are helping.
"It has the most unique freakout of clarinet spasms that do their best to be out of tune and yet fit perfectly into the psychotic feel of the song." That's quite an original line there. It's not everyday you hear about a freakout of clarinet spasms. Loving "The Witch"
FYI...there's another Floridian in the house up there!
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I admire your writing ability. You manage to evoke enough of the band's music to make me hear it while reading your words. Thanks.
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Helen, of course I'm "helping" you with your addiction, hehe! Glad you like the clarinet spasms line, I take pride in my ability to use words in writing to accurately describe. Oh yea, I know Cam is a Floridian, he's a cool guy too.
Michael thanks, I'm glad to hear that my writing helps you "hear" the music before you actually listen to it. That is quite a compliment coming from you sir!
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they hooked me with 'harvest (within you)' but i wasn't planning on checking out their new album. until now.
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haha, yea Ardy, their tunes are pretty catchy so you're now the helpless victim of Clinic. glad I could help hook ya.
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The minute you told me you were working on this I suspected it would be great... but I was far to predict this would be brilliant! Dear lord, you managed to elegantly sum up its essence...
Keep up this terrific work!
(My Aug rules!) ::heading to the next review::
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Awwwwww, thanks dear, you are too sweet & kind! Glad you enjoyed it & hope you like the album. (Just got back from Coachella & I'm exhausted, but had SO much fun. I'll give you a full report later)