Clean Anthology CD

Disc one of this indispensable set has all the early, classic songs: the silly organ-soaked frenzy of "Tally Ho," the scrappy sing-along "Beatnik," the Pavement-covered "Oddity," and the gorgeous lament, "Getting Older." Disc two compiles the best songs from The Clean's reformation during which they made 1990's VEHICLE, '94's MODERN ROCK and '96's UNKNOWN COUNTRY. Most often operating as a trio, the core of The Clean were the brothers Kilgour, David and Hamish, with bassist and Bats frontman Robert Scott. While The Clean remain a cult band, their fanbase is loyal and obsessive; and while they've influenced countless bands over the years, if not the entire subgenre known as indie-pop, it's rare that any of their followers hold a candle to their charm, poeticism, and remarkable skill at making the simplest chord structures seem unequivocally rich and full of meaning.

Over the last 24 years, New Zealand's The Clean have influenced countless bands with their unique blend of homemade garage rock, hook-filled melodies, and psychedelic experimentalism. This double CD documents the band's development from the late 70s to the early 90s and includes out of print and hard to find singles, EPs, and tracks from the first three LPs. Merge Records. 2003.

Flying Nun Records' first band, and certainly one of the most important to come out of New Zealand during the post-punk era, The Clean's oeuvre has been one of lasting influence and genuine depth. From their early, gritty, no-fi 7-inches and EPs to their later re-formed output of the early '90s, their inimitable amalgam of punk, garage, and '60s Byrds-tinged psychedelia highlights an effortless knack for emotional, highly melodic songwriting that successfully balances the line of sincerity and good-natured humor for which so many bands strive and fail.

The Clean includes: David Kilgour, Hamish Kilgour, Robert Scott, Peter Gutteridge.

Spin (3/03, p.120) - 8 out of 10 - "...New Zealand's the Clean played surf rock like it was a winter sport, expanding jangle pop into boundless exotica..."
Entertainment Weekly (1/24/03, p.101) - "...The arc of their initial development is breathtaking....Disc 2, from their later years, testifies to remarkable staying power..." - Rating: A
Magnet (4/03, p.112) - "...This two-disc set cherrypicks the best from the band's two-decade career..."
Mojo (Publisher) (3/03, p.124) - "...There's a wonderful charm to their simplicity..."