The Fluid- Clear Black Paper

Label: Sub Pop

Reissued 12/20/2024, Originally released 1988

Clear Black Paper is The Fluid's second album, originally released in 1988, and now back on vinyl! The Fluid are arguably the great unsung band from the fertile underground rock scene of the late '80s and early '90s. The Denver five-piece - John Robinson (vocals), James Clower (guitar), Matt Bischoff (bass), Garrett Shavlik (drums), and the dear departed Ricky Kulwicki (guitar) - fused the fire of '80s hardcore with crunching Detroit protopunk, '60s garage rock, and '70s rock swagger. Think MC5, Faces, '70s Stones, all cranked up and really high on Sex Pistols and Black Flag singles. Rising from the ashes of early-'80s Denver bands Frantix (whose "My Dad's a F***in' Alcoholic" is a true gem of American punk) and White Trash, The Fluid were the first non-Seattle band to sign to Sub Pop, and Clear Black Paper was the second full-length album the label ever released. 

Track listing:

1. Cold Outside
2. Nick of Time
3. Lonely One
4. It's My Time
5. Left Unsaid
6. Try, Try, Try
7. Hall of Mirrors
8. Much Too Much
9. Your Kinda Thing
10. New Questions