Unknown Country

by The Clean

Overview

Unknown Country seems to be the sound of a group of songwriters and performers who don't have the time or energy to dedicate to an album. For the most part, these 18 songs meander and squall randomly, showing little of the jangling, interesting pop/rock charms found in the band members' full-time groups, the Bats and Bailter Space. The Clean is a supergroup gone sour. Making matters worse, there are a number of mind-numbing instrumental interludes that drag the album down. Highlights such as "Happy Lil Fella" and "Clutch" sound like lesser tracks from the artists' full-time bands. "Happy Lil Fella" sounds like a B-side to a song from the Bats' Silverbeet. "Clutch" displays a heavy Chills vibe. "Rope" shows that the Clean had been following the work of Matador artists; it sounds like Pavement gone New Zealand. "Cooking Water" and "Wall Walk" might as well be Bailter Space on a bland day. The album couldn't be more unfocused. It's as if members of the Clean went into the studio with no ideas and simply toyed with sounds from their pasts and their peers, to no good effect. There's not an ounce of passion in the music. Unknown Country is littered with filler; it's a disappointing and difficult album. ~ Tim DiGravina

Product Details

Release Date:	03/26/2021
Label:	Merge
UPC:	0673855073910
Rank:	51257

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Clean   Primary Artist,Drums,Guitar,Vocals,Theremin,Keyboards,Percussion,Piano (Thumb)
Buzz   Keyboards
Alan Starrett   Viola,Mandolin,Piano (Thumb)
Nick Roughan   Piano

Technical Credits

David Kilgour   Composer
Tex   Mixing,Engineer
Brydie Scott   Composer
Nick Roughan   Mixing,Engineer