Clerks Import Clerks Soundtrack CD

Producers include: Ted Nicely, Rick Parasher, Matt Hyde, Cliff Shrimpner, Andy Wallace.
Engineers include: Steve De Acutis, Eli Janney, Matt Hyde.
Audio Mixers: Clint Werner; Eli Janney; Cliff Shrimpner; Matt Hyde ; Andy Wallace; Richard Mouser; Ted Nicely; Toby Wright.
In the spirit of Reservoir Dogs, the soundtrack to the hip independent comedy Clerks is filled with little clips of the movie's dialogue, which only proves how important context is to comedy. In the film, the jokes and pop culture debates are uproariously funny, but when they're heard outside of the cramped convenience store where the film takes place, they fall flat. And that's also what happens with the songs. With the exception of Alice in Chains' sinewy, acoustic-based "You've Got Me Wrong" (also featured on their Sap EP) and Soul Asylum's "Can't Even Tell," none of the songs have much power when separated from the film. Furthermore, there's not much variety -- it's all grunge and metal, and none of it is particularly distinctive. Fans of the film will find the Clerks soundtrack a fun memento, even if it's a bit tiring. Alternative/hard rock fans will find some of the album entertaining, but will also find it somewhat subpar. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Much like the DIY ethic applied to its namesake film, the soundtrack of CLERKS has a very sparse approach taken to it, with a couple of notable exceptions. Commercial alternative artists like Alice In Chains (who recycled "Got Me Wrong" from their SAP EP) and Soul Asylum (who wrote "Can't Ever Tell" specifically for the film) sit alongside such lesser-knowns as Golden Smog (actually the uncredited Dave Pirner, Victoria Williams and various Jayhawks) and Seaweed. Bash & Pop's trashy rocker "Making Me Sick," is followed by Stabbing Westward's Nine Inch Nails-inspired "Violent Mood Swings." Representing the commercially untainted side of the alternative nation are Supernova (whose "Chewbacca" is an ode to the "Star Wars" character), the manic ravings of Girls Against Boys ("Kill The Sex Player"), and the thinking-man's punk of Bad Religion ("Leaders And Followers"). While the snippets of movie dialogue make CLERKS follow in the footsteps of any Quentin Tarantino-related soundtracks, the music squarely makes it a current update of wherever SINGLES left off.Entertainment Weekly (12/16/94, pp.64-66) - "...a score that emphasizes punk, industrial sludge, Beavis and Butt-head-style thrash, and cantankerous indie bands..." - Rating: B