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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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In The Clear
by Ivy
The trio (which includes Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger) return with their first new album in four years, produced by Steve Osborne.
| LABEL: |
Nettwerk |
| RELEASE DATE: |
01 March 2005 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock |

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
83
E! Online
The sophisticated retro-pop sound, dreamy melodies and soft electronic beats of Ivy do more to further international relations than any George W. Bush visit could ever hope to.

80
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Simultaneously exciting and relaxing.

80
Billboard
Like British counterpart St. Etienne, Ivy deftly merges melancholic tales of the heart with happy-go-lucky beats.

80
Mojo
It finds the group's estimable strengths consolidated as never before. [Jun 2005, p.112]
80
All Music Guide
It's refined and focused, but also sexy and intimate.

75
Entertainment Weekly
It'll remind you of St. Etienne. [4 Mar 2005, p.75]
70
Paste Magazine
Filled with dreamy pop gems. [#14, p.105]
70
Under The Radar
The second half loses some of the A-side's steam, but overall, the album is a great diversion. [#9]
70
Urb
Finds them recapturing the magic. [May 2005, p.92]
70
Trouser Press
Introduces a delectable bit of shoegazery energy and distortion to sharpen up the lulling Ivy groove.

65
Pitchfork
The album tries to conjure the anchorlessness of travel, but instead it sounds oddly weightless, floating by pleasantly but unobtrusively and rarely demanding your attention.

62
Filter
Doesn't offer enough lyrical depth to ensure the album's ultimate longevity. [#14, p.104]
60
PopMatters
Lyrics are far and away the album's weakest point, consisting more often than not in pat, stock-sounding phrases.

60
Blender
Textured mood music. [Apr 2005, p.119]
60
Lost At Sea
Everything goes smoothly on In the Clear, with no real highs or lows, so to speak, and as such it unrolls without much fanfare or energy.

50
Prefix Magazine
Once you get past the initial, pleasing familiarity, though, In the Clear becomes a decidedly middling listening experience.


The average user rating for this album is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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