polaroids of androids

This collection of b-sides and rarities from Clinic's impressive back catalogue flows about as well as you would expect for a release of this nature. It's a hit and miss affair with fantastic punk moments like Magic Boots, Nicht and The Scythe alongside dreary, more ballad-based songs such as Christmas and J.O./Love Is Just A Tool.

Ultimately, the enjoyment of this record is destroyed by two factors. These songs were never intended to be featured side-by-side and there is an emotional absence because it seems as though it is just a bunch of songs that have been thrown together. The recycled nature of the more punk rock numbers becomes tiresome fairly quickly also. Shouting into a microphone over the same three chords can be more creative than this.

The rare times where the emotional overtones and punk aggression are combined is when the band really shines. The angst of Lee Shan is particularly engaging and highlights the mark this 90's band has left on modern music with the droning guitar riff reminiscant of early Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Unfortunately the highlights are too few and far between and this album pretty much comes off as exactly what it is - a collection of left over songs.