Clinic-
3 stars
I somehow missed Clinic, even though through doing research for this review, I found they were one of the first bands in the recent post-punk revival, a movement that I love and have followed for six years or so. I must say, though, I’m not very impressed with Clinic’s fourth album, Visitations.
The Liverpool-based band (didn’t another band come from there?) has some of the brooding darkness of Joy Division, some of the bluesy garage rock of The White Stripes, and some of the bounciness of The Rapture, but they’re missing something. It’s nearly impossible to decipher many of lead singer Ade Blackburn’s lyrics, but it’s more than that. There’s a feeling of disconnect and an inability to connect with the listener. They seem to keep the listener at an arm’s length. This lack of intimacy is symbolized by the fact that the band wears their trademark surgical masks in the album art, hiding their faces. The inaccessible quality definitely detracts from the music, which, in general, is very good. There’s some good guitar work and catchy riffs.
Standout tracks include: “Family,” “Harvest (Within You),” “Children of Kellogg,” and “If You Could Read Your Mind.”
Scale:
0. Shoot yourself
1. Poor
2. So-So
3. Good
4. Excellent
5. Instant classic