Clean Equations

Now here's the tricky part, not sounding biased. Well frankly it's pretty easy when you're a total music snob.


But the album is good. The cacophony of sounds in each respective track, mixed with Nyhan's soft yet scratchy vocals, make the music seemingly tangible.


Ohio Turnpike reminds me somewhat of Death Cab's Transatlanticism (song not album), which is probably much to Nyhan's dismay, but honestly it's not a bad thing.


Achieving that kind of sorrowful anguish that can really only be captured by pure harmonic asymmetry is something that can take a lifetime to master and rarely is accomplished.


Clean Equations reminds me of a highly processed troubadour, wielding stories of love, loss and anguish throughout its six track record.

Alison is admittedly one of my favored tracks with its invasive look into a past tryst, and Bellingham, WA's staccato tangents leave me craving a sequel.

For a premier EP, Clean Equations puts forth a good show. The seething sound of instrumentals variegated with Nyhan's hollow vocals provides a peerless mixture for an album of this caliber. - Detroit Plaid City

Continuing with our fascination with global melodic ramblings, Clean Equations provide a comforting mixture of indie styles and grace. This record genuinely benefits from multiple plays, teamwork and impressive engineering. - Mojophenia

Frustrated as I often am with the insubstantial trends of modern-era indie rock, for those interested in tapping into actual underground music, it’s a bit of a golden age. Take Clean Equations’ self-titled debut, an indie-pop EP that draws equally on the sophisticated nerd-outs of Built to Spill and Grandaddy and the more majestic aspirations of bands like Explosions in the Sky. It’s hard to imagine this release being made before 2009; it’s also hard to imagine it soundtracking a $250,000 Vice party. Good thing music speaks for itself. - Rawkblogs

Unique, moody instrumentals and vocals highlight the debut release from Clean Equations. Mike Nyhan, vocals / guitar / keyboards, has brought in the reinforcements including Nero Catalano on bass (722), Gretchen Lohse on vocals (Yellow Humphrey), Geoff Morrissey on guitar (Law of the Sea), Jonas Oesterle on drums, Jo Schornikow on piano (The Shivers), and Jim Thomas on organ / piano / keyboard (Blue Floor Music), to make this an impressive, and polished, expansive head-trip! For after dinner, late night entertainment or to engage pleasent daydreams, Clean Equations features well-written, gorgeous, harmony-filled, music that will stay with you long after your first listen! The music and vocal harmonies are heavenly throughout. -Curty Ray - PowerPop Overdose