Clinic - Bubblegum
This is the sixth album from Clinic; a band that apparently have been around a while, yet never quite made it to the big time. If you are already a fan of Clinic, you will notice that 'Bubblegum' is somewhat of a shift for the band, with less guitar riffs and more melodies; for a psych-rock band there is an overuse of acoustic guitars throughout the album and, dare I say it, there is almost a folky feel to the songs.
It is certainly an album with very catchy artwork,; the bright pop art design would definitely make you pick it up in a shop and it does to some extent represent the impulsiveness of the album. Opening track "I'm aware" almost glows with its shining strings and warm harmonies and things get even more laidback with track "Baby" which is undeniably a gentle love song. However, Clinic are not an entirely changed band as "Lion Tamer" erupts with guitar riffs and a high use of distortion creating the hyped up sound this band are so famed for. The songs are all so different, the album becomes almost like a meal with a variety of courses beginning with soulful harmonies, leading to distorted guitar riffs and finishing up with the psych-rock that Clinic are categorised by. It is interesting for definite but sometimes it is very hard to follow as I am not quite sure where to place this band or what to think of these songs.
I can't help but feel that 'Bubblegum' is somewhat of an experimental album from Clinic, trying out new sounds; the album is a mix of a variety of genres whilst still retaining the simple logic of the band. With the lack of electronics evident in their previous albums, they may polarise existing fans yet the increased use of acoustic guitars may find them a new army of fans. It is an approachable progression and therefore the Clinic fan base are sure to rise; arguably a high point in their career, 'Bubblegum' is sure to put the band finally on the map where they deserve.