Clock Comes Down the Stairs [Import]

Microdisney | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 31, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Creat
• ASIN: B0000076H3
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,659 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Champagne Haze of My First Affair", October 3, 2001

By 

Lypo Suck (Hades, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clock Comes Down the Stairs (Audio CD)

Yet another brilliant offering from the criminally ignored Microdisney. The songwriting and production here aren't quite as sharp and consistent as its predecessor "Everybody's Fantastic" (which I highly recommend), but it's still a classic, with arguably better (at least more venomous) lyrics.

The sound is lighter and more studio sterile on "Clock", despite the fact that they used a HUMAN drummer. The arrangements are actually a bit more orchestral in scope when compared with previous efforts. Still, the finely wrought tunes continue the seductive, paradoxical combination of extremes; Sean O'Hagan's beautiful, deft country-picking Jimmy Webb-inspired guitar melodies, and singer Cathal Coughlan's ironic, caustic, acid-tongued vocals/lyrics, joining to form a unique poetic vision. The West Coast Beach Boys influences are more prevalent here, especially with the bouncy beats and rich organ on "Genius", "Horse Overboard", and the haunting ballad "And".

Even thought the production doesn't focus quite as much on Sean's guitar, the songs are still first rate, infectiously catchy, pop masterpieces. Just try getting "Genius" or "Birthday Girl" out of your head after you've heard 'em a few times.

And how you can beat a chorus like "You're a genius, you're a giant, you're a prince, you are the Pope, the things you feel are just a joke, so burn, burn, burn!" (from "Genius"). The lush "Goodbye it's 1987" and the country-ish "A Friend with a Big Mouth" offer similar sentiments, all delivered in Cathal's gut-wrenching, Irish brogue. This music is not for the faint-hearted.

Sophisticated, poetic, heavily ironic, and gorgeously melodic; please stop ignoring this wonderful band. The arduous and time-consuming search you'll have to conduct to find any of their albums will be well worth the effort.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what genius sounds like., October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Clock Comes Down the Stairs (Audio CD)

Humor, irony, sarcasm and melody. What more could one ask for? This album will never go away and for that I am very grateful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go-Betweens, Orange Juice, Costello fans should love this, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Clock Comes Down the Stairs (Audio CD)

Superb songwriting and playing. This is tremendous. It came out in '84 but hasn't dated at all to these ears. They didn't sound as great as this one future outtings. If possible, go for the import with the 5 extra tracks. Listen, love, cherish.