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Concert Thu Nov 11 2010
Clinic Heals Tonight
The first and only time I've seen Clinic live was at the Empty Bottle two years ago, and I felt like I had been listening to one long song for the entire concert. (This is the song I like! Oh, no, THIS is the one I like...)
It's no surprise that I was a fan of their trainspotting-esque sound--fast paced, electronic, very English. It was just very monotonous. But their new album, Bubblegum, has much more diversity as the group departs slightly from that all-night-party intensity to a more reflective aura. It's almost as if party-goers put down the bottle of pills and powdery white substances and picked up some natural psychedelics instead. It's a welcome change.
Slower, softer songs with melody and emotion dominate on Bubblegum, like opening track "I'm Aware", "Baby" and "Linda." The title track even throws in a little bit of groove. They visit their artistic side with spoken word on "Radiostory" and the instrumental "Un Astronauta En Cielo." Fans of Clinic's classic sound shouldn't worry though, the same are those lazy, distressed vocals, and tracks like "Liontamer" and "Orangutan" have that familiar vibe from their Wrangler debut.
You can stream Bubblebum in its entirety on Domino's website and then see Clinic play tonight at Lincoln Hall. Tickets are $15. San Francisco's The Fresh & Onlys open. 9pm. 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. 21& up.