The Clean sound as fresh and vibrant today as they did when they led an influential roster on New Zealand’s Flying Nun records, an independent label started by a fan intent on releasing the band’s single, “Tally Ho,” back in 1981. Although they only had a small cult following outside their native country, the Clean enjoyed a great deal of college radio airplay. Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus is one of many who cite the Clean as a major influence. The band has returned with the thoroughly enjoyable full-length Mister Pop on Merge records. The album incorporates their trademark blend of melodic organs, chiming guitars and Middle-Eastern accents in a way that makes us wonder what we missed over their 14 year absence. In the video for “In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul,” director and principle band member Hamish Kilgour captures the wide-eyed exuberance of the song with a small boy visiting a carnival by the sea. In case you missed the Beatles reference in the title, the clip contains cameo appearance by a blackbird too. Enter to win a discography prize-pack at MBV. [Merge]