What The Critics Say
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, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Ivy made an interesting move when they released the all-covers album Guestroom in fall 2002. It's an eclectic collection of songs -- an intriguing but differing mix of genre and time. But Ivy makes things work brilliantly; smart songwriting with ever-changing moods has always marked Ivy's artsy, melodic measure. So basically, Guestroom is an added bonus for new and old fans alike. Most anyone will appreciate Dominique Durand's wispy, warm vocals and the intricate musicianship of Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase. Cult classics such as the Cure's "Let's Go to Bed" and House of Love's "I Don't Know Why I Love You" are divine picks from Ivy, particularly the latter track. Simple acoustics and lite synth beats dice up the songs' original pop pounce for a dark, muted presence. "Say Goodbye," which is a Papas Fritas favorite among fans, rolls down new wave memory lane; however, the hipness of the Go-Betweens' "Streets of Your Town" brilliantly captures Ivy's musical heart. Guestroom may highlight some of the band's cherished cuts from the decadent days of the 1980s, but there are some hidden treasures. Durand's enchanting singing style on the Ronettes' chart hit "Be My Baby" is tailored for a nearly eerie, lullaby sweep. The Parisian-born Durand gives props to fellow Frenchman Serge Gainsbourg on the idyllic love song "L'Anamour." On Guestroom, Ivy has given these songs a modern touch without compromising their undeniable, candied sound -- a pleasant listen at best. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
"Long distance" doesn't only mean annoying calls from MCI, Sprint, and AT&T marketers mangling your name. In the case of this sinewy New York trio, it's a tribute to perseverance. Riding high in 1998 with a wonderful sophomore LP, Apartment Life, and two fine songs in the hit film There's Something About Mary, the group suddenly found its momentum dashed. Dropped by not one, but two major labels, Ivy further suffered the near-crippling loss of its recording studio, as fireman hacked it to pieces fighting a bagel-shop blaze. Then two of its members became parents together, while the other found himself a critical smash with his other band, Fountains of Wayne. Had they a permanent drummer, doubtless he would have spontaneously combusted. And had Ivy surrendered, well, in words their Paris-born singer would understand, se la guerre. But Ivy refused to go "down in flames," and Long Distance is a charming product of belief that wouldn't be deterred (hell, even when we first heard this LP last fall, it was only a Japanese import!). While retaining their streamlined, catchy pop and Dominique Durand's gorgeous cooing, they've doubled the textural foundation while also amping up the groove and swing. Not really a dance-music band, there's still an undeniable foot-shaking root to Ivy's smooth, limber rhythms, while the guitars shimmer and the bass undulates with deep bottom low end. These are the perfect beds for Durand's French-accented vocals to lie in, as she alternates from dry and wet vocals that accentuate her blithe sensuality. Her performance needs to be this sweet, as the lyrics are unremarkable, encroaching on cliché; as we've seen so often, great singing transforms nothing-special lines such as "And for a moment I'm back again/Remembering what you once meant" (the standout "Blame it on Yourself") into tiny daggers of honest emotion. But aside from Durand's star qualities, it's her hubby Andy Chase and Fountains pal Adam Schlesinger's writing and production that are the keys. Whether the wonderful neo-deampop gauze of the opening gem, "Undertow," the lax trip-hop of "I Think of You," or the acoustic-amiable "Let's Stay Inside" (with Herb Albert-like trumpet from the great Eric Matthews, who really needs to make another LP!!!), or the bossa nova-breezy flavors elsewhere, these folks understand lithe and pleasant, smile-producing pop. Perhaps the group could come out of their sugar-rush friendliness on occasion, as Apartment Life's more powerful, denser "You Don't Know Anything" did so well. But the absorbing production and inventive instrumentation/arrangements enliven. No, in fact, Long Distance is often subtly honeyed and luscious, leading you into its graceful moodiness like a nice day beckons you outdoors. May their next trip be less taxing. ~ Jack Rabid, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This winsome, pleasant, accomplished, convivial pop LP attracted some fine word of mouth, after these New Yorkers-by-way-of-Connecticut with a Fountains of Wayne connection (guitarist Adam Schlesinger is in both bands) finished a solid tour, one where they outdrew U.K. headliners/alternative one-hit wonders Space Monkeys. And yet it's a wonder that Ivy isn't massive. Not only are they led by a talented female singer, Dominique Durand, in an era where such a demeanor is finally favored, but she's sweet and pretty as well, with a decided French accent. Such friendliness and refined music helps explain the all-star cast willing to help Ivy out on this exquisite work, such as Lloyd Cole, James Iha, Luna's Dean Wareham, Stanley Demeski, and most of all, superb trumpet player Chris Botti. And boy does Apartment Life improve over their promising but not quite there debut, Realistic! Some songs cut deeper than others (some are merely jaunty and boppy in an slurpy ice cream cone way), but three or four are the sort of pleasantly produced, precisely structured pop dreams that make fans sing along. The opening "The Best Thing" is a true single with a chorus that is to swoon and croon for; the '60s-ish, horn-laden skip of "This Is the Day" is lightweight, la-la-la pop personified; and better, when they let the guitars get mean for a second, on the post-MBV attack of "You Don't Know Anything," Ivy are a knockout. The rest is more lighthearted yet still crafted, cleanly produced, stylized old-pop with warmth, such as the cooing "I've Got a Feeling" (no, not the Beatles song), "Quick, Painless and Easy," and the gently haunting "Back in Our Town." As seen in their Apartment Life, Ivy are a summer breeze and a cool lemonade, here for all to taste. ~ Jack Rabid, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Realistic isn't a great album on its own, but it hints strongly at Ivy's potential. A good deal of the songwriting comes from Academy Award-nominated Adam Schlesinger (also of Fountains of Wayne), who has an incredible ability to crank out pop songs -- the writing on Realistic is occasionally marvelous, but bland. Overly slick production and a few lackadaisical songs keep the album from becoming very memorable. While French singer Dominique Durand's wispy, enchanting voice and several great pop songs ("Everyday," "Dying Star") make Realistic worthwhile, the band's later releases bring more life to Ivy's smooth and gentle style of pop. ~ Nitsuh Abebe, All Music Guide
