Spring Break
Exit Clõv Not Leaving Anytime Soon
David Rose
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Focus
If the word Metric means nothing more to you than a system of measurement, chances are you are not clued into the indie-rock scene. In fact it is more than likely that most of Storrs has not heard of Metric let alone started a band entirely derivative of their sound. That can't be said of the members of Exit Clõv, whose new EP "Respond Respond" was released on Tuesday. The rider accompanying the CD claimed they had the "political edge of Metric" which is true; they also have the backing tracks and the lyrics too.
Perhaps I'm being too judgmental, I am, of course, a snobbish rock geek. It's just that, for a band on the indie scene, a little more originality is needed otherwise, what's the point? They might as well become the next Rob Thomas or Justin Timberlake and make bland uninspired trash, but get huge paychecks. That may seem harsh but when your publish lyrics such as, "Mr. music police is my art ok/ I did it myself like you do it yourself/ but you're doing it all wrong/ you can't play" as they do in "DIY" then you open yourself for criticism.
While the music may not seem to be very original it is played expertly well. There is real talent here, especially in guitarist Aaron Leeder, whose electronic riffs drive most of the songs and vocalists Emily and Susan Hsu. But, again, it is easy to see what they were listening to when they recoded the EP. "Moving Gaza" seems to have been lifted from The Shins' "Chutes Too Narrow." While "MK Ultra" sounds like an outtake of The Strokes' "First Impressions Of Planet Earth" the opening riff of "MK Ultra" also passes more than a passing resemblances to Pearl Jam's "World Wide Suicide."
But you know what the worst thing is? You know what is really infuriating? They sound fantastic. This is an absolutely brilliant record. Yes nearly every song sounds like it was lifted from another band's album; Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, The Shins, The Strokes, The Go! Team, the list is endless. But the thing is the end result is like listening to a great cover band who play all of your favorite songs with all the bad bits corrected. While a good majority of the songs sound like Metric's "Dead Disco," none of them contain the irritating off-key opening notes.
Exit Clõv are not a great indie band, they are not going to garner a huge following of rock geeks nor are they going to get name-dropped in a Zack Braff film. However it can't be denied that they make superb music. All of the songs on "Respond Respond" have been done before, but never this well. The vocals are tight, the music is expertly played, the lyrics are OK; they could be less pretentious, but they could be a lot worse. There is a lot here, just don't tell anyone who works for Metric.
Perhaps I'm being too judgmental, I am, of course, a snobbish rock geek. It's just that, for a band on the indie scene, a little more originality is needed otherwise, what's the point? They might as well become the next Rob Thomas or Justin Timberlake and make bland uninspired trash, but get huge paychecks. That may seem harsh but when your publish lyrics such as, "Mr. music police is my art ok/ I did it myself like you do it yourself/ but you're doing it all wrong/ you can't play" as they do in "DIY" then you open yourself for criticism.
While the music may not seem to be very original it is played expertly well. There is real talent here, especially in guitarist Aaron Leeder, whose electronic riffs drive most of the songs and vocalists Emily and Susan Hsu. But, again, it is easy to see what they were listening to when they recoded the EP. "Moving Gaza" seems to have been lifted from The Shins' "Chutes Too Narrow." While "MK Ultra" sounds like an outtake of The Strokes' "First Impressions Of Planet Earth" the opening riff of "MK Ultra" also passes more than a passing resemblances to Pearl Jam's "World Wide Suicide."
But you know what the worst thing is? You know what is really infuriating? They sound fantastic. This is an absolutely brilliant record. Yes nearly every song sounds like it was lifted from another band's album; Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, The Shins, The Strokes, The Go! Team, the list is endless. But the thing is the end result is like listening to a great cover band who play all of your favorite songs with all the bad bits corrected. While a good majority of the songs sound like Metric's "Dead Disco," none of them contain the irritating off-key opening notes.
Exit Clõv are not a great indie band, they are not going to garner a huge following of rock geeks nor are they going to get name-dropped in a Zack Braff film. However it can't be denied that they make superb music. All of the songs on "Respond Respond" have been done before, but never this well. The vocals are tight, the music is expertly played, the lyrics are OK; they could be less pretentious, but they could be a lot worse. There is a lot here, just don't tell anyone who works for Metric.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
bobby
posted 10/14/06 @ 6:27 PM EST
I've actually seen Exit Clov and never considered them a metric cover band...i feel like maybe you don't know what the lyrics mean, DIY is a conversation between two people!
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