Clear Static - Clear Static

Genre rock Publisher Maverick External Links Official Clear Static Website Official Maverick Records Website

(*Editor's Note: Clear Static's self-titled album is available on iTunes now, and will be in stores on May 02nd)

With our all-powerful hindsight machine, we have the ability to look back at pictures and wonder what the heck we were thinking when we put on those Hammer pants or styled our hair like that dude from A Flock of Seagulls. Heck, a casual look at my album collection and the question must be asked: why in the world did I think Ace of Base was a solid purchase?

Music runs in a short cycles, which is why we hear cover versions virtually immediately after the original has been burnt in our subliminal memory. Take Clear Static and their revival of 80s synth rock. I enjoyed it the first time around. Unfortunately, these damn kids don't remember how tired and formulaic that music was, and here come these Clear Static kids..."Get off of my damn lawn, kids!"

In fairness to Clear Static, "97 Lies" and "Make Up Sex" are the best pop songs I've heard so far this year. They both feature infectious beats that could ostensibly make the kids lock their bodies together in fits of adolescent ass-grabbing.

Past those two songs there isn't more for those of us who've been down this road before to latch onto. Maybe hindsight will catch up with these kids in the future, but the vicious cycle of genres and styles will surely continue on.