Album Details

• Artist: Clockcleaner
• Album: Babylon Rules
• Label: Load
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2008-03-07

Like a cross between Green River and Drunks With Guns, Clockcleaner are muddy and creepy, with just a tinge of fear that there may be some pathology at work. Beyond the ancillary press the band gets from its assaulting of other bands, being banned from clubs, and general abusive actions toward fellow man, the music itself is enough to make you worry about this trio.

"Babylon Rules" stakes out a sonic space somewhere between a detention center and a fast food joint moments after a mass shooting has occurred. Claustrophobic, unfocused rage, and deadly focused noise. Lyrics that read like lists of grievances by suicides against the world-small and trivial, but epic in their impact-are saved by singer John Sharkey III's acerbic delivery. You may not be comfortable to hear his words sung with sarcasm, but you are glad he does. "Human Pigeon," "Caliente Queen" and the single "Vomiting Mirrors" are not the kind of tunes to have in your head without at least a little humor. Likewise "Daddy Issues."

Musically, jagged guitars, almost overly distorted no-wave grooves, blues chords and heavy reverb create the basis from which the band tears down their song structures, leaving a happy mess at the finish line. "Babylon Rules" is a sinister, gritty assault, a trip to a dark world infinitely more disturbing than silly black metal offerings. Mostly because this grim shit is plausible.

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