Clear Static

Clear Static

3/5

Key track: Like the Movies

What do you get when you mash together big snarl drums, sugar coated vocals, and melody driven instruments? You get Clear Static, or the big 80’s pop sound to be more inclusive. Lately, countless musicians have been “experimenting” with 80’s pop rock, and Clear Static , the California based pop act, is merely another on the list.

Although the style and genre might be getting redundant, it is not to say that Clear Static’s music is not enjoyable. With catchy tracks like opener “97 Lies”, “Like the Movies”, “Dancing with Strangers”, and the ever-so-fittingly titled “New Year 1984”, the music is bound to move the listeners. However, the first single “Make up Sex” is not Clear Static’s best effort. Its vocal is overdone with unnecessary computer effects, and I could not help notice how much resemblance it bares with Madonna’s new materials. What’s worse is that the band made a single out of “Make up Sex” with eight remix versions of minimal difference.

Take my advice, stay clear of the album single unless you are a die hard fan, but Clear Static’s album is worth trying out. I guarantee that you will be hooked to the upbeat pop rock tunes in no time.

+Cecilia
March 29, 2006