Ivy - In the Clear

Genre rock Publisher Nettwerk External Links Official Website Nettwerk

In the Clear, Ivy's fourth album of originals, stitches together a clean and complex layering of the ethereal with a delicacy and efficiency afforded by only the most nimble sweatshop seamstress fingers. Neatly produced and boldly mixed, there are few atmospheric and pure rock moments to be extracted from the milieu of pop factory melodies and uninspired lyrics which mire the whole album down.

"Nothing But the Sky" waxes strongly of Cocteau Twins and stands out as the best song on the album with the wistful vocals of Dominique Durand flirting beautifully with the strains of a playful piano.

"Thinking About You" made me want to vomit vocally and lyrically; I actually heard lyrics "...never look back...never look over my shoulder...faded to black..." No. No. No! The additional violins serve only to accentuate the disgustingly light vocals.

"Keep Moving" right on to the next song, you'll save yourself a massive headache. I can see this in rotation on a Celine Dion / Kenny G driven format, getting you through your busy work day. Right through to the bar where you can drink strong vodka martinis to forget any of it ever happened. Until the night terrors start, that is.

"Tess Don't Tell". I wish no one had. Excellent guitar from James Iha does do a bit to redeem this song.

"Four in the Morning" feels sexy; the vocals beckon like a lover half-awake imploring a return to soft sheets and pillow drooling. The guitar and vocals synchronize in this double helix of relaxation.

"Clear My Head" has musical merit but looses it with more lyrical slop; "I've got to clear my head of everything you ever did of everything you ever said". Yeah, us too.

"I've Got You Memorized" reeks of The Cardigans; this one is all geared up for coveting by all the post-Bratz pubescent girls tucked away in affluent Midwestern suburbs.

I got "Ocean City Girl" and "Tess Don't Tell" confused. Yawn. Is it "Four in the Morning" yet? Because I'm sleeping. Blah guitar. Blah piano. Blah.

"Feel So Free" very interesting intro, guitar slides. Again with the boring lyrics. "Feel so free and I feel alright, never thought I'd feel like I feel tonight." Yeah? Uncreative? Is that how you feel?

Separating personal taste from musical quality is the fundamental challenge of the reviewer, and I found myself in the throes of such a dilemma in this case. Not my style; lyrical rice cakes. End of rant.