The beginning of German band Mr. CLEAN goes back to the year 1994, when guitarist Thomas Kupke teamed up some session musicians to build a new rock project. The group started to write their own material, while played in small venues a mixed set of original compositions with cover songs.
By 1995, Mr. CLEAN managed to record themselves nine pieces from their own, and published the CD “Wash & Go” through the unknown small indie label Baze Records. The band’s style could be best described as melodic hard rock with a slightly progressive influences, and some AOR/rock thrown into the mix. In example, “Way Of Love” has a strong driven guitar riff and a keyboard atmosphere similar to early nineties SAGA. “Intoxication” is a midtempo rocker with clean guitars and a cool refrain, influenced by the Canadian sound.
“Not Now!” is an uptempo synth driven melodic rocker with hints of Scandi – AOR ala RETURN or SKAGARAK, surely one of the best tracks here. “Blue Dreams” returns to the proggy territory, “King For A Day” is a catchy typically German MR/AOR tune, and “Twisted” has an hard rock Americanized style. The synth / piano only ballad “Only Some Words” is truly good, in fact, the best track of the entire record.
“Wash & Go” is an unknown CD, rare as an ice cube in the Sahara. Includes good songs and melodies that would needed a little extra work, but this is compensated by the freshness of the band. The production is as good as it gets for an indie release. A nice collectible.
01 - Way of Love
02 - Intoxication
03 - Not Now!
04 - Blue Dreams
05 - King for a Day
06 - Twisted
07 - Crystal Seas
08 - Only Some Words
09 - I Don't Know
Markus Hoffmann lead vocals
Thomas Kupke guitars
Gunni Brahm keyboards, vocals
Reiner Schwaab bass, vocals
Ralf Wintermeyer drums
Sven Stade backing vocals on "Twisted"
Password: Plotn08
Deposite
Mr. CLEAN – Wash & Go (1996)
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