In the Clear

1	Nothing But the Sky 5:12
2	Thinking About You 4:13
3	Keep Moving 4:43
4	Tess Don't Tell 4:35
5	Four in the Morning 5:10
6	Corners of Your Mind 2:49
7	Clear My Head 3:30
8	I've Got You Memorized 3:48
9	Ocean City Girl 4:24
10	Feel So Free 4:58

Barnes & Noble

New York City trio Ivy make what you could call café music -- breezy pop that is as perfect with a double espresso and a copy of Le Journal as it is with a chunk of biscotti. While there is no shortage of aural wallpaper for coffee shops these days, Ivy's albums offer the kind that makes you actually go up and ask the clerk who's playing. Though not significantly different than their previous work, In the Clear is a refinement of the band's trademark sound: jazzy chord progressions, augmented with sparkling arrangements, subtle electronics, and the alluring, breathy vocals of singer Dominique Durand. It is, however, a vast improvement over 2001's Long Distance, which found the band somewhat listless and mired in synthesizers. Teenagers in the '80s, Ivy use alternative icons of that decade (New Order, Aztec Camera, Cocteau Twins) as touchstones to create a distinct sound of their own, much in the same way Luna borrow from the Velvet Underground. In the Clear is brimming with memorable songs: the dreamy opener "Nothing But Sky"; the upbeat, jangly "Corners of Your Mind" and "Thinking About You"; and the keyboard-driven "Keep Moving," which seems destined to be used in a montage sequence in some upcoming romantic comedy. It's an album that goes down easy but stays with you. Making music sound this effortless is no easy task, though you'd be forgiven for not noticing as you finish your latte. Bill Pearis

All Music Guide

Ivy follow up 2001's Long Distance with their sophisticated fourth album, In the Clear. The ten-song set shines with smooth synth beats, breezy acoustic guitars, and elegant string arrangements. It's refined and focused, but also sexy and intimate. The band's airy softness turns dark, and it's an inviting listen. Dominique Durand's honeyed, warm vocals are as seductive as ever, especially on skin-tight tracks such as "Four in the Morning" and "Keep Moving." "Tess Don't Tell" is classic Ivy. Andy Chase's post-punk-influenced background fits Adam Schlesinger's pop roots so nicely on this track, and it's playful in mood without going overboard. Ivy didn't overdo things in the studio. It's an album that breathes easy while also one that struts in slow motion. The dreamy, piano-laden opener, "Nothing But the Sky," is testament to that. Slow-building pastel-colored melodies mixed between cool, chilled rock moments capture the essence of In the Clear. It's most definitely an impressive culmination of Ivy's career to date. MacKenzie Wilson