Woove staff writer Eva Luton reviews the latest release from Clinic, Bubblegum (2010). Happy Halloween and Happy Radiothon, you little ones!

Good news about Bubblegum (2010): It's not as obnoxious as their last album.

With nasally vocals that sound as if lead singer Ade Blackburn had sung into an underwater microphone, I did not doubt that I'd soon regret ever being born with ears upon pressing “play” for Clinic's latest release.  Thankfully, Bubblegum dropped the previous album's notorious metallic-sounding drum beats and picked up the banjo, which did little to nothing to add any zest to the sound.  Luckily, I'd choose the banjo over street noises any day.

Bubblegum’s opening track, "I'm Aware," reflects influences from The Beatles’s "Sgt. Pepper" days.  Though the emulation of the Beatles’s psychedelic rock movement is clearly present, the “Fab Four’s” technical brilliance is not.  Undeniably, the tinkle of the bells and strumming acoustic guitar harvests a manifestation of kaleidoscope images in your mind, so I suppose Clinic has accomplished something with the first track.

Annoying echoes on "Lion Tamer" make the listener claustrophobic, like feeling trapped inside a steel box with a stereo that's way too loud.  Though the short chorus, "Now in favor, a lion tamer…" teases its developmental potential, it's quickly broken down into a clash of eardrum-piercing electric guitar chords and an annoying snare beat.  Break out the Ibuprofen; you're going to want to overdose on it.

"Radiostory" features a voiceover of a seductively spoken man, reciting the tale of two lovers.  The bizarre track stands out because of the featured pump organ.  Unfortunately, the lyrics are neither romantic nor intriguing, and the backbeat sounds like a karaoke version of the fifty-eight second "Interlude (Milo)" by Modest Mouse. 

I prayed for at least one of Bubblegum's tracks to reign far superior to the others featured on the album, like "Porno" did on Voot (1999); but alas, such a miracle did not prevail.  Compliments cannot be given to Clinic's latest; it's boring, unoriginal, and the most I can say for it is that it'll make a great lullaby tape for your toddler's nursery.