The Clean - Boodle Boodle Boodle (Reissue)

Merge Records - 40th Anniversary Remastered Reissue Limited Black & White Swirl Vinyl

Available here: Merge Records

Buying records through the mail is extremely convenient, and generally brings surprises especially with the current supply chain and pressing backlogs. Questions asked of the ether after the post arrives frequently sound like “What the fuck did I order from Ypsilanti, Michigan?” Generally followed up with something akin to, “Oh shit it’s that _________ record I ordered way back in February 2020.” Unfortunately there are other surprises too… not sure what machine within USPS’s facilities actually did this to the package and contents, but it was with enough force and determination to destroy the new excellent reissue of the Clean’s Boodle Boodle Boodle reissued this month by Merge (as well as its bundled Tally Ho! 7” companion). And, of course, Merge quickly sent me a replacement package and all is well once again. Discogs heads take note… whatever pressing quantity that may be stated for this reissue should have one deducted from said total when pricing your resales.

Although I have all of the tracks from this second EP on the Anthology compilation (also co-released by Merge) it is great to hear these songs presented in their originally intended package/format. Not much should have to be said about the Clean, but they are one of the MANY quintessential Dunedin, NZ bands from the late 1970s/1980s. At this point in history, a band coming from OZ/NZ has become a selling point for me no matter the time period. Chance dictates that there have to be a veritable shitton of middling bands trying and failing to climb the ladder of international recognition from down there, but I have yet to hear one.