Clinic
Walking With Thee
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Clinic
Walking With Thee
Domino, 2002
RiYL: Velvet Underground, Radiohead, Interpol, Can |
The album first reveals a delicate, intricate combination of psychedelic chimes and whistles and drum beats that sound cemented in die-cast meter. Then you have the lead vocalist (whom Clinic doesn't designate with a name), who huffs and puffs like a sadistic, straight jacket-saddling savant. But he is more than just a Eurotrash Dr. Evil. One could easily imagine him shackled in a dank mental hospital or scaring the kindly folk at Wal-Mart; it's also possible that he's a lot smarter than he lets on.
His chants sway like calm ocean waves a la Perry Farrell, but his pitch and inflection summon a much more seething, sneering punk entity (particularly on revved-up roadhouse rockers like "Pet Eunoch," where he mimics David Byrne in a musty abandoned garage).
As the frontman sarcastically sasses "fill yourself with dreams" on "Harmony," a sleek, driving bass riff and twinkling keyboards (which seem derived from a kiddie-Casio) form a sonic vision of brave-new-world despair and defiance. Soprano back-up harmonies break up the occasionally plodding waltz rhythms, along with (synthesized?) flute, saxophone, and clarinet intervals and periodic gong-bashing.
But there are some tender moments on Walking With Thee. The most spleen-tingling is definitely "For The Wars," a post-Doors jingle that sounds like "The End" by way of Blind Melon, complete with Densmore-inspired shuffle drumming and lead guitar that gently patters over the bass lines like rain on a rooftop.
You've been thoroughly warned. Purchase Walking With Thee now and discover why hype can occasionally be worthwhile in disclosing fresh talent.
GRANT PURDUM | Among the newest wave of NATN contributors, Grant Purdum bides his time at Washington State University.