| clifton lee mann om (pleather records) If there's a bad band in Chapel Hill, you wouldn't know it from the albums coming out of there. On his debut (possibly the best first album I've heard all year), Mann delivers a crunchy, garage attack that reminds me of what I loved about The Dead Boys. Raw and basic, dragging through the streets as opposed to classic Cal-punk's serrated buzzsaw attack, Mann brings the drunken rawk that resurrects memories of the earliest forefathers, The Blue Magoos, Count Five, and, of course, The Stooges. More than a retro act, it's the spirit that lives in his guitar playing. (The New Bomb Turks revisited it on Destroy Oh Boy.) Mann has a clear voice that allows him to sing without getting bogged down in the mix, and he knows how to throw in a hook without feeling the need to make it the focus of the song. It's hard to describe, but there's an inestimable feeling when someone plays something true-like the Replacements tearing through a song. Mann brings that kind of smile to my face. It ain't Let It Be or Wire's 154, but it's enough to remind me why rock "n" roll will never die. Mann's pedigree includes unsung Raleigh punkers BAD CHECKS and axe work for PIPE. Greater than the sum of its parts, this album introduces a musician (he played everything but the drums) with his heart in the right place. -Chris Parker/THE BIG TAKEOVER |
| REVIEWS |
| Clifton Lee Mann OM Pleather Clifton is full of short, ferocious punk numbers containing crackup-funny and ironic lyrics which skewer familiar experiences. He also manages to stick a bit of melodic songcraft in the right places. It's all well done, straight to the point, and without any pretention. Soundwise, the combination of heavy garage sound with the good, fun power trio groove is, for lack of any other way to put it, whole. A happy yin joining up with a loud yang. Whatever. To accomplish this, Clifton played all of the bass and guitar with a busy and boomy but sympathetic drummer. It's obvious that he knows exactly what to do with both of his instruments and he never overplays of misses a beat. His vocals may have their limits, but he pretty much succeeds there too by keeping it simple and concentrating on getting the lyrics across. If he's as much fun live as on the silver platter, I'd kinda like to see him. -Tim Mashburn, INK 19 |
| CLIFTON LEE MANN - "Om" cd This is a more powerful than average power-pop release. Well written mid tempo rock songs with grungy hooks and spoken/sung lyrics. A bit PAVEMENT like. Good stuff. -MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL |
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