You know I've frequented the bay area many times, and I really need to find the wellspring where the quintessential grunge rock sound pours from. Apparently I need look no further than Clearly, a four-piece indie rock band with their second album out. The album is entitled Minor Mistake and it features five tracks with some songs that hold tight to an era of music I will always pine for, but elevates it to today's standards. It's not an easy feat finding the right space between polished while also delivering a sound that has stage presence. This album immediately lit a fire under my ass to see these songs live. That's a pretty big fire. I'm in Chicago so that's not a cheap plane ticket, but still, I am VERY tempted.
The opening song is "Minor Mistake" and right off the bat you'll get those savory notes of grunge. Be still my heart when this track find its crescendos, so utterly angst ridden and honest. I think it takes a pair of serious trouser melons to kick off an album with a six-minute heavy romp like this. I respect it. Next is "Slump" and here you'll get a gruffer, rougher experience that readily rubs against the grain. This is my favorite track on the album due to the pointed nature of it. It doesn't just poke, it shoves. I love it. "Slow Drive" slows things down quite a bit and comes off as a power ballad. I'll admit it was a little exhaustive and I think could have used a little editing. "On Again Off Again" tackles an all too familiar narrative for anyone. There's a good boost in tempo here and I really liked the vocal work as well. Tying a bow on the album is the final song "Wasted." Grab the black eyeliner for this one, it gets dark and twisted. The big seller here is the lyrics. The music was well composed and layered perfectly to build a light engulfing void, but for the most part it felt like it might belong to another album, so I was not prepared. Clearly is very strong in their convictions when it comes to composition. They build songs until the vision is complete. They have rock solid synergy and all hands on this deck are highly capable. I can certainly tell this is a sophomore release because there are no visible seams anywhere in these songs. Everyone was on the same page; everyone knew the destination they were headed toward. As I mentioned before, this album is a great way for this group to sell some concert tickets. Their choice to make this album feel so big and imposing was the right call. The production was handled beautifully, the hands that engineered Minor Mistake belonged to people who truly understand the genre. I think overall this album is a success and a great listen for grunge fans of any make or model.
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