Customer Reviews

Winchester Cathedral

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Taken on its merits, let's face it: this is easily a four star record. What many pundits (and even Clinic fans) have fixated on is the relative lack of change in their sound over the course of three albums (and several ep's). While I understand this view, to a certain degree, I think that using such a standard would also damn many other great bands that created an iconoclastic sound, then milked it for all it's worth. Think Ramones. Think AC/DC. Think U2, even! Sure, they've veered off their trademark sound over the course of their long career, but with one or two exceptions, those have been their least successful records, artistically and commercially (yes, "Pop," I'm talking to you). So, what I'm saying is, to say that Clinic are treading water is only fair inasmuch as the music fails to move or excite the listener.

On that score, I'll concede, this is Clinic's weakest record. But, as I am a huge fan of the first three (especially "Wrangler" and "Three EP's," both of which I consider essential), this is not to imply that I dislike this album - I think it's very good. And I agree with the others here who've said that there is growth to be found here - especially in the doo-wop fixtures of the great tune "Falstaff," and in some new sonic trickery here and there.

I won't pretend that wouldn't like Clinic to start to move their sound into some new areas, but again, in subtle ways, I think they are doing so, and I think that album is a tentative step in the right direction.

2 1/2

Another set of loopy, eccentric pop becomes even more forgettable and disposable then previous outings. Worth a sampling for many of the fragmented ideas the band incorporates when playing off of different styles of music, but lacking a solid backbone to distinguish these ditties above lighthearted experimental fluff.

Internal Wrangler has a sound for those who prefer the raw and garage, though some complain that it sounds rough and sloppy.
Walking With Thee, more polished and mainstream-like, a sound for those who prefer the clean(er) pop/rock energy, but some feel that it doesn't have the raw edge of Internal Wrangler.

Winchester Cathedral... some complain it's boring or lacking in the same energy. It doesn't have the same 'retro' style as the last couple albums. Instead, the album as a whole, has a more whimsical sound, sometimes eerie and sometimes dreamy. If I had to make a comparison, for those who have the last two albums think "Goodnight Georgie" and somewhat "For the Wars". More clarinet heavy than percussion.

The punk/garage sound lives in "W.D.Y.Y.B." and the instrumental "Vertical Take Off In Egypt". "The Magician" and "August" seem a bit like a manic and twisted carnival. "Home" and "Falstaff" have a sound like a weary-eyed crooner; slow, desperate, and melancholic. "Country Mile", "Circle of Fifths", and "Thank You For Living" are somewhat reminiscent of the last two, but heavier atmospheric-ly.

In my opinion all of the tracks are great, just different, more blue in some way. A new vision to make one wonder where they are going with the next album.

Songs to note: "Anne", "The Magician", "Falstaff", and "W.D.Y.Y.B."

Chances are this may not help, but bare with me. Clinic is an eccentric band bown to their scrubs. Call the doctor scrubs, amsks and clothes a gimmick, but sometimes aa band has to do what they have to for attention and a focused viewpoint in music...just like other bands that are influenced by The Pixies and reside in Liverpool. Now to the CD. One listen to this and you may get a cutdown of sound since Clinic's Internal Wrangler, but you gotto admit anyway, that it is a magical masterpiece to behold. I did. Once I listen to it, it was the toast of my iPod. And the thing is the review will be less helpful because I can't describe this album but magical, amazing and as essential as Internal Wrangler. "Fingers" is a song that rounded up everysong in meaning. The highlight besides "Thank You (For Living)" (my personal favorite), The Majestic #2, and "The Magician". I swear, this is not a CD to pass up. Clinic is not a band to pass up. Give it a chacne and you will see how different and hauntigly stunning this album is.
Rating: 8/10

With the flurry of negative reviews, I half expected it to be the blow out disappointment that was Coral's Magic And Medicine.
Hardly! Is it the radical rethink that the band promised it to be? Not at all. If anything,the band errs on the conservative side of things. And with such a unique sound, I don't know if I blame 'em. The differences between this and Walking With Thee is just little less organ and a little more woodwinds. The soft bits, the chaotic bits, and the manic mumble of Blackburn are all here. I suspect that the novice listener will be as blown away or confused as if they started at the beginning. Okay it is not the best Clinic album (Internal Wrangler has that all sown up) but it is still very good. The band seems to be engaged on interplay level and not messing up what makes them Clinic. So I am happy. I think that in five to seven years, you will be suprised to see where they wind up. At the careful increments the band releases their singular sound, the concise 30 plus mark, I will never be bored. Just when you get it, they are gone. Nice work, doctors. In short if I was at a party where this was blasting out, I'd hang around. The conversation would be fascinating.

Clinic seems to be in the middle of going somewhere, but "Winchester Cathedral" indicates that they're not quite sure where. While their spare, vaguely haunting music seems to lack enthusiasm, and really doesn't seem to go anywhere new. Their third album is not really good, not bad, but merely satisfying and muted.

Beyond that shtick for appearing in surgical scrubs, Clinic is known for first having a sort of wild, erratic sound, then toning it down as they strove for musical growth. They strive some more in "Winchester Cathdral." It starts off strong with the complex, stomping-rhythmic "Country Mile," and the eerie "Annie."

But things crash to a stop in "Vertical Take Off in Egypt," which is both confusing and over-dense, laced with a sound like spinning bike wheels. It feels like an experiment, but not a successful one. It's jarring to encounter it, and the experience of the faint "Home" and guitar-rock "WDYYB" were overshadowed by it. It's followed by some fairly nice pop songs, but ends on a weird note with the instrumental "Fingers." It sounds like it was tacked on -- the energetic, driven "Thank You (For Living)" would have made a better finale.

Nobody can really expect a band to have loads of enthusiasm in their third album, but can't Clinic sound like they're having even a LITTLE fun? Drummer Carl Turney said in "Under the Radar" that this album was supposed to sound less polished than its predecessor -- warmer, grittier, more organic.

Well, it sounds a lot grittier and more organic. But warmer? Well... not exactly. It sounds a little too deliberate, a little too carefully crafted. No spontaneous spark. Guys -- maybe taking a year and a half is not such a good idea. It can create technical excellence, but can also iron out your passion.

Technically, they have a similar sound -- clarinets and pianos, mixed in with bass and guitar. The last part of the album (except "Fingers") is the best, even mixing in a Klezmer in the sinuous, exotic pop of "August," and a wonderfully frantic sound. Elsewhere it's soft and psychedelic, like in "Home" -- these songs imply that Clinic could surge forward into a new and even better sound.

Good luck understanding Ade Blackburn. He sounds royally P.O.ed, but I can't figure out what he's singing about -- little snatches float out like "and we wouldn't touch you," "in the countryside" and the occasional "yeoww," but most of his singing is buried. His muffled voice is second fiddle to the music.

While songs like "Falstaff" and "August" hint at brilliance, the sound of "Winchester Cathedral" is still very much as Clinic's past albums. It's a pleasant listen, but not a great one. Perhaps that will come with their next release...

Let me start my review off by saying "this IS a new and experimental clinic album". I agree that the first few times I listened to this album , I thought it was good but just a tired routine of song structure and different melodies that can be heard throughout Internal Wrangler and Walking With Thee . But after listening to Winchester a few more times ,I REALLY figured these guys out , their whole method , and foundation for their music . Clinic is a band that peaked at the beginning of their musical career by creating a sound that was fresh , genius , and unparalled in everyway . I've read the other reviews saying that clinic fans would complain that they've heard it all before ; well , of course they have, that's the way clinic does it , they use the same instruments , angst , and song writing method in all their albums but mix them around ,heighten them and border new and fresh sounding clinic in every song . Fans of Clinic would agree with me when i say that one could easily take Clinic as being an inaudible band lyric- wise ,that just creates crazy and catchy music. Of course , Clinic are catchy but people seriously , look , you have to really listen to Clinic to understand that their music is something that is shrouded in mystery and lets the listener pick up what the normal braindead music listener would think static and really hear the lyrics out and understand WHY they are sung the way they are.
First of all ,take the name of this great band:Clinic ,and why are they called Clinic? Well , because their music is written through a deranged and wacky persona that these four guys were able to create. Their music is sung and written in the perspective of troubled minds or troubled situations not being handled well mentally and thrown into a frenzy of what is the music of this band ,Clinic. Now , take one of the songs on Internal Wrangler :"The Second Line" .This is one of their best and most catchy songs ,and why is this song called "The Second Line" ? Well , people , honestly ,look, the song is about War or the paranoia of oncoming War.I've been able to pick up some lyrics to back me up on this for example ," I sit here while come a come a come , sit here while come a come a come , come a come a come , come a come a come ,come a come a come Wars" and if that is not enough for you the band does make another reference to War in Walking with Thee , in the song "For the Wars".Look people I might be wrong or right about the lyrics , but am I really pushing it by assuming the band wrote something like this , the band IS called Clinic they've written deranged , beautiful and disturbing songs that are very satiric of society and use dark humor. Clinic IS a very dark and angry band , but only looking at this side of the band and their lyrics is stupid and not really what the band wants , and I've read interviews saying that the band write their song with a humorous side to them but could be misunderstood as being TOTAL letdowns. Let me point out what I mean about this band's dark humor with the song "Anne",here are some lyrics i've picked up" Anne we love , Anne we would'nt judge you anything you might do , Once so full of laughing rolling , Once so full of laughter , oh , No longer would you be Told". In my opinion this song portrays the nervous guardians of this young rebellious girl named Anne , and how they are telling her that they won't judge here on her actions. you can take this as dark humor , or you could see that it is funny because it IS true in many cases. This concludes my long and in some cases , very annoying and detail biting review of this great album . Clinic fans that call themselves "fans', who proclaim they've heard it all before are only scratching the surface of this album , and i suggest they give it a few more good listens , so they can't try to get to the real fruit of Winchester Cathedral.