Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crisp and "Clear", March 1, 2005
Ivy is one of those bands that has taken awhile to rise into full public view. And it's about time. Their fifth album "In the Clear" has the same charming pop and trippy melodies, but the band also expands on their guitar pop -- here it's a bit louder and more prominent, but very smooth.
After an airy opening song, Ivy launches into a series of guitar-led pop songs, like "Thinking About You" which is a little too bouncy for its own good. At first listen, some of these songs are rather dancepoppy, and it seems that Dominique Durand's voice is about to sink under the bouncy sounds. But a second or third listen reveals the pretty trip-hop melodies hidden under the beats.
Halfway through, the tempo changes drastically: "Four in the Morning" is a sleepy, swoony ballad, followed by some slow fuzzy songs and enchanting little pop songs. These are more like Ivy's past work, and they seem to come more easily than the catchier songs.
Ivy's has always been a prettier, more sophisticated kind of pop music, not what people usually think of as "pop." When people think of pop music, they generally think of generic-sounding, empty tunes tailored for radio play. Ivy is not anything like that -- instead it's light, airy melodies with very pretty vocals, never bringing to mind anything but itself.
And Dominique Durand's vocals are at the heart of Ivy's music -- her voice is sweet, a little wistful, and has the warm, distant quality that the music needs. Best of all, she's versatile. "Can't hide another smile/I've been thinking about you," she purrs near the beginning. But by the penultimate song, she's murmuring quietly about how "I should've known by now/I should have known better/and I feel so free..."
Jody Porter and James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins fame) do a good job with the guitars, keeping things fast and sometimes a bit loud, although occasionally they overwhelm Durand's voice. The softer keyboard melodies come from the very talented Steve Osbourne, and songs like "Ocean City Girl" are graced with some smooth violin.
The guitars are a bit louder in "In the Clear," but Ivy's unique pop sound is sure to win over both new listeners and longtime fans. Definitely a keeper.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: Highly Addictive Music!, March 8, 2005
I bought "In The Clear" after discovering that Adam Schlesinger of Fountains Of Wayne was one of the principal songwriters in Ivy. Knowing I could trust A.S. to write great songs and frustrated waiting for a follow up to "Welcome Interstate Managers" I grabbed this CD off the shelf when it went on sale. I was not disappointed. The pop hooks are mesmerizing and the jangling guitars and pastel synthesizers make me feel like I am surrounded by a warm musical womb. The melodies are gorgeous and delicate little details keep popping out of the mix to grab my attention on every track. Dominique's vocals are hypnotic and sexy. Stand out tracks are "Thinking About You", "Tess Don't Tell", "Ocean City Girl" and "Feel So Free" although, truth be told, all the songs are good. This music acts on my nervous system like a cross between prozac and ecstacy. It's a guilty pleasure and I don't care. The trouble is now I am addicted! I have already purchased "Apartment Life" (also excellent) and no doubt I will soon own "Long Distance", "Guestroom" and "Realistic". I have been listening to nothing but Ivy all week. There must be a 12-step program out there for this. I need some smelling salts or some Metallica or something!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Great Ivy Album, March 2, 2005
As a huge Ivy fan I was wondering what direction the band was going to go in after the guitar heavy sounds of "Realistic", the perfect pop of "Apartment Life" and the electronic, soothing music of "Long Distance". After listening to the entire album all day I can report that instead of an electronic sound the album features more guitar oriented pop and sounds great.
Overall, the album has a very somber tone with a lot of quiet guitar music that's perfect for unwinding, but as I was listening I realized there's a song for everybody. Songs like "Tess Don't Tell" and "Corners of Your Mind" are more upbeat and feature catchy melodies that appeal to pop rock fans like myself while "Clear My Head" has a slightly distorted sound, but a great guitar melody that repeats throughout the song. "Feel So Free" relies on acoustic guitar and is a relaxing song to end the album on.
For fans of Ivy this album is great because it delivers more of Dominique Durand's vocals and the outstanding melodies and atmosphere that we've come to expect from the band. For people new to Ivy, you can't go wrong with this album, but I highly recommend some of their earlier albums to get you started.
Songs to check out:
Thinking About You
Tess Don't Tell
Corners of Your Mind
Clear My Head
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