Undoubtedly one of the more enduring bands of the Dunedin
Sound era, The Clean debuted in 1981 with the EP Boodle
Boodle Boodle, which is simply an affirmation of kiwi audacity and ingenuity.
Recorded with a budget of $700 in Chris Knox’s bedroom, this 5-track
release contains some of the most thumping, boisterous “lo-fi” rock-based songs
that I’ve ever heard.
The three tracks on the EP’s A side are all typical staples of
the Flying Nun label's sound, such as “Billy Two” which seems
reminiscent of the more upbeat post-punk outfits of the era, yet with a
stripped-down, hard rockin' quality that simply doesn’t let up. One of the better known
songs associated with the band, “Anything Could Happen”, features a few
trademark slices of jangly guitar, coupled with terrific, pounding bass and drum work, as well as vocal delivery by lead singer David Kilgour that just
personifies your average New Zealander’s indifference.
The real gem here though is the final song on the EP’s B
side, “Point That Thing Somewhere Else”. This 5-minute tour de force contains a
phenomenal, gliding lo-fi guitar riff which seems to bring in elements of Dick
Dale’s classic surf sound. I can't help but feel that this track's soul belongs somewhere in the 1990s, but that also makes it easier to understand The Clean’s influence on later international
acts - particularly Pavement and Yo La Tengo, both of which have cited as such.
Unfortunately the only copy of this EP is its original
1981 release, but all 5 tracks are included in the 2002 compilation Anthology, which pretty much covers most
of the band’s history, not unlike The Chills’ 1986 Kaleidoscope World. If you want to hear where your favourite 90s alternative
rock / lo-fi band may have got its sound, this would be a pretty good place to begin.
A
-Karl
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