In The Clear
by Ivy
  • Record Label: Nettwerk
  • Release Date: Mar 1, 2005
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. E! Online
    83
    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.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    It's refined and focused, but also sexy and intimate.
  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    Simultaneously exciting and relaxing.
  5. Billboard
    80
    Like British counterpart St. Etienne, Ivy deftly merges melancholic tales of the heart with happy-go-lucky beats.
  6. Mojo
    80
    It finds the group's estimable strengths consolidated as never before. [Jun 2005, p.112]
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  7. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    It'll remind you of St. Etienne. [4 Mar 2005, p.75]
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  8. Under The Radar
    70
    The second half loses some of the A-side's steam, but overall, the album is a great diversion. [#9]
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  9. Urb
    70
    Finds them recapturing the magic. [May 2005, p.92]
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  10. Trouser Press
    70
    Introduces a delectable bit of shoegazery energy and distortion to sharpen up the lulling Ivy groove.
  11. Paste Magazine
    70
    Filled with dreamy pop gems. [#14, p.105]
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  12. Pitchfork
    65
    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.
  13. Filter
    62
    Doesn't offer enough lyrical depth to ensure the album's ultimate longevity. [#14, p.104]
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  14. PopMatters
    60
    Lyrics are far and away the album's weakest point, consisting more often than not in pat, stock-sounding phrases.
  15. Blender
    60
    Textured mood music. [Apr 2005, p.119]
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  16. Lost At Sea
    60
    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.
  17. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Once you get past the initial, pleasing familiarity, though, In the Clear becomes a decidedly middling listening experience.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. MelodieM
    Mar 14, 2005
    9
    Mixes the great pop sound of Apartment Life with the lovely dreaminess of Long Distance. Definitly my favorite Ivy record to date. The Mixes the great pop sound of Apartment Life with the lovely dreaminess of Long Distance. Definitly my favorite Ivy record to date. The orchestration on this record is beautiful.… Full Review »
  2. VinceH.
    Mar 5, 2005
    7
    Have been a huge Ivy fan for years now, wearing out my "Long Distance" and "Aparrment Life". Having kept myself busy with side projects like Have been a huge Ivy fan for years now, wearing out my "Long Distance" and "Aparrment Life". Having kept myself busy with side projects like Brookville, it's great to have a new album from this excellent and highly underrated group. These guys crafted some of the smartest and catchiest pop music of the 90's, yet the majority of people have no idea about them. This is a decent album at best. Dominique Durand still sounds great and these guys know how to write great pop songs, but this album is less of the soft, delicate, french-type pop I loved, and is a bit more dancier, fastier, some songs here sound like they could be taken off a St. Etienne album. Ivy fans will love it, but newcomers should get Apartment Life and go from there.… Full Review »
  3. KarlH
    Mar 4, 2005
    10
    Classic Ivy. Why isn't this band more well known?!
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