"Some One" by The Clean
TITLE: "Some One"
ARTIST: The Clean
ALBUM: Vehicle
RELEASE DATE: 1990
Okay, this one's a little random. I was having a discussion with my colleague Jane this afternoon and somehow the topic of long distance flights came up. Jane expressed that she had no desire to ever visit Asia, as it would involve an ungodly amount of time in the air. I asked whether she'd care to visit, say, New Zealand. Somehow that resulted in a discussion about "kiwi pop," and Jane confessed to not knowing anything about said musical phenomenon. In all candor, I don't know much about it either, but do recall, back in the very early 90's, hearing about a clutch of NZ bands who'd carved out a little post-punk niche for themselves, summarily dubbed "Kiwi pop" by the music press. Among these bands were The Chills and The Clean. I'd received a copy of The Clean's debut album, Vehicle, via the good graces of a Rough Trade publicist by the first name of Vickie (I honestly cannot remember her last name). In relatively short order, I ended up playing the hell out of the thing, and this song -- "Some One" -- is easily my favorite of the bunch. In any case, Jane had never heard of'em, and I told her she'd probably love'em, so for Jane -- here is "Some One" by The Clean. Hope she digs it.
The Clean broke up sometime shortly aftewards, I believe, and lead singer David Kilgour pursues a solo career to this day (that I've never bothered to follow). In any case, I adore "Some One" for its blunt, almost idiotic simplicity. Here's hoping you will too.
Great song, but your history of the Clean is a bit off. This was their first full album, but it was a reunion of sorts after spending years with a slightly different lineup as The Great Unwashed. They also keep reuniting and have put out a handful of records since Vehicle. I think you would really like their earlier, noiser stuff; track down a copy of Compilation (preferably the Merge version from a few years back, as opposed to the early 90s import I paid big $ for with the same title).
Posted by: Erik | June 06, 2007 at 08:47 AM
Sorry, the Merge one is Anthology; the Flying Nun one was Compilation.
Posted by: Erik | June 06, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Yes, I do like this. Very much. Thank you for sharing! Also, I think it is amazing that a band called the Great Unwashed became a band called Clean.
ALSO, I do love one New Zealand band (besides Crowded House, of course - yes, they count to me) -- or at least one song by one New Zealand band. Straitjacket Fits' "Down in Splendour." Do you love it? Do you know it? Finding it will take some digging through my CDs, but I think I am up for the challenge.
Posted by: jane | June 06, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Crowded House are brilliant not only because of their first album (which takes a giant, sheep-shaped shit all over much of the rest of their catalog), but also because Neil Finn is a MASSIVE Killing Joke fan and actually co-erced Youth (ex-KJ bassist turned lauded producer) to reunite with the band prior to 1994's Pandemonium record. Also, Split Enz were completely brilliant.
I must confess to never having heard the `Fits, so if ya find it, hit me with it.
Posted by: Alex in NYC | June 06, 2007 at 07:59 PM
being a kiwi, i must say i was pleased to see some reference to nz music here! to my eyes,(ears), the world is missing out on a great deal of very fine music from these fair shores... such bands as; the headless chickens, skeptics, toy love, the mint chicks, hallelujah picassos, the gordons, to name just a few..! here's a link to a great new zealand anthem... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIzLsARZrhg
Posted by: johnny | June 08, 2007 at 09:00 PM