If you haven't heard the Clean yet, you may have heard their influence bubbling up in Stereolab's loopy keyboards or in Sonic Youth's more experimental excursions. Getaway marks the Clean's

Getaway

If you haven't heard the Clean yet, you may have heard their influence bubbling up in Stereolab's loopy keyboards or in Sonic Youth's more experimental excursions. Getaway marks the Clean's triumphant return: brothers David and Hamish (the Mad Scene) Kilgour, with Robert Scott (the Bats), together again after five years, seem rejuvenated from their solo work, ready to reexplore the outer reaches of New Zealand space pop. With Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley each playing on two tracks, there is indeed a feel-good guitar vibe on Getaway, but the chicken/egg argument ends there--the Clean have been around for over 20 years. Trading vocals in their customary fashion, Hamish recalls a more laid-back Lou Reed on "Crazy," while David summons Spacemen 3 on the vibrant opener "Stars." Scott's signature croon on "E-Motel" is as comforting as ever, breezy and gauze-thin. On other tracks, the cool sounds envelop you like a blanket, proving that when these guys get together, the total effect is greater than the sum of the chiming, jangling parts. --Cyndi Elliott

Getaway