Clockwise’s debut album Healthy Manipulation

leaves reviewer sighing and crying for more

by Renee Clark

        I first heard of these guys way back in late September/early October when The Stylus got their cd.  Since I always go through the new CD’s that come in because I love to hear new music, it was really a lucky find on my part.  The CD was in a clear plastic case and had their name and the name of the album and songs written on it in black.  I do not know why but the name Healthy Manipulation just caught my attention so I threw it in my trusty CD player in the dark room and completely was AMAZED I have liked them ever since.  So that folks is how I got my hands on Clockwise’s new album.  All I had to do is listen to it once and I was hooked.  This album my friends is what a person like me dream about.   

        If you didn’t know already, Clockwise is from Las Vegas and consists of vocalist Austin Leduc, bassist Alfonso Bernal, drummer Dave McMahan, guitarist Justin Pasquale, and guitarist Scott Beare.  This band really  “has got all that you need” with their latest release Healthy Manipulation. 

        Healthy Manipulation has just the right mix of heavy, in your face rock tracks and slow melodic and insightful tracks.  The record grabs your attention with the first song “Lay Her Down” and does not lose it until the CD player stops after the last song “Who Deserted Who?”  Their more melodic songs are unlike ones from other rock albums.  These songs still have the rest of the album’s backbone and stamina included in them.  One of my favorite songs on the album is “Aware” it is amazingly sung and the music perfectly sets the right mood.  The few songs like this one on the disc do not interrupt or change the flow or sound of the overall album either. 

          Aggressive songs like “Lay Her Down” and “Leverage” are clear examples of the sheer altered view of aggressiveness in songs.  Usually songs are just aggressive to be that way and they in turn end up on that note.  But songs like these end up on a positive point, which is rare.  For example here are the lyrics to most of “Lay Her Down.” Caught up in emotion never once do you/climb down off your pedestal and put yourself in my shoes/your insults is the results of your insecurity/and I won’t be responsible for your lack of trust in me/ now I realize she has taken all I am / I realize it now/so I’ll take back who I am/ I’m gonna lay her down

          The heavy bass riffs are really remarkable and can be heard in songs like “ego” and “Hook and Line.” Guitar riffs in tracks like “Paranoid” and “Lay Her Down” are also very appealing to the ear.

    Other songs are about girls.  For example in the song “beneath” it has an obvious theme about sex.  With lyrics like “close your eyes and spread your thighs.  Let go that’s right.  I can feel your sighs your cries for more!” The song creates raw imagery and really made me do a double take when I first heard the song.  It was like OK what did he just say!?

          Their lyrics might be described as too much whining or complaining but I find them very clever.  The ways certain situations are described in the songs are really efficient.  They just work and I like them.

          The album ends with the track “Who deserted Who” which is another one of my favorites on the disc.  In my opinion Austin sounds like Eddie Vedder in some of the song.  I do not know why but that is what I hear and I do not think it is a negative feature either.

        This album is one of the best to have been released this year.  I know I just “can’t get enough” of it!  When these guys finally get more exposure and the recognition they deserve.  I know they will be all over rock radio.  If they are not then they should be because they by far tower over all of the garbage that is on rotation right now.  This album gets 10 stars out of 10.  So what are you waiting for damn it GO GET IT ALREADY!