Review: Clinic – Winchester Cathedral
National Music Reviews
CLINIC
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
Domino
The men dressed in scrubs return with more evidence of exactly why they are one of the cast of Radiohead’s favorite bands (sometimes it is hard to tell who exactly is influencing who) and how it’s just about time everyone else took notice. In many ways, Clinic are the older, more mature version of labelmates Franz Ferdinand. They haven’t lost sight of the idea that music should be fun and entertaining, but at the same time, they are confident enough to risk it all by challenging the listener to take in more than a happy pop song. Their wall of mutated surf guitars is both engaging while being distorted and unwelcoming while keeping a pace that rarely pauses to let the listener catch their breath. Gimmicks; take them or leave them—Winchester Cathedral definitely leaves the quiet legacy still intact.
This review originally appeared in Glitter Gutter Trash, September 2004, Issue 189.