Uninspired. Boring. Rehash. These are words one should never have to apply to Clinic, a British band that has for years masterfully blended a mix of punk, techno, and garage rock to stand out as a unique group with a distinct sound. But seven years and three albums since their formation, the group’s starting to feel unfresh, as any dedicated fan of the group will notice.

Even a quick spin of Winchester Cathedral soon reveals its similarities to its direct predecessor Internal Wrangler. It’s painfully easy to layer old lyrical lines over the new melodies, and vice versa. This reviewer caught himself accidentally singing the words from older work along to the new tracks. Vocally, Singer Ade Blackburn can still pull off tense bouts of angst on rockers like “W.D.Y.Y.B.,” but is missing the complexity and cacophony of times past. And you can forget about the experimentalism found on the self-titled release.

This isn’t to say that the new release isn’t without its strong moments. The album’s lyrics are joyfully cryptic, when they aren’t obscured by Blackburn’s trademark surgical mask. The eerie yet soulful croon of “Falstaff” goes perfectly with pieces of piano, its haunting melody and clever use of jazz influences making it one of the best Clinic tunes yet. The bouncy, intricate bit of clarinet and keyboard on “August” make it sound like a riddle translated into music, and “Home” stylishly punctuates its roaming verses with maracas. While the group seems to be mellowing out with age, Winchester Cathedral still provides plenty of instrumental appeal.