Clutch - 3 Album Mega Review!
Clutch - to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch.
Clutch - a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part as used in an automobile.
Clutch - a "Back to basics" American Rock Band that this reviewer would bet you havent heard of!
Clutch have been blasting out their own form of traditional yet heavy American Bluesy Stoner Metal Rock since 1991. Although I would love to, I cant claim to have discovered them until 2004 - when the release of Blast Tyrant finally caught my attention. The main reason for this is that they are by no means a mainstream band, they enjoy staying under the radar and dislike radio or MTV attention, they love to tour, and have supported numorous bands including CKY and Motorhead. But because of their publicity style, unless someone actually tells you about them, or you happen to see them supporting someone you already know you like, you will never hear of them. However, once you find Clutch - you become a fan, and once you become a fan of Clutch - you never let go!
Since becoming a "Gear Head" - the technical term for a Clutch fan, I have collected most of their back catalogue, but I thought I would spend today just going over what I beleive to be their 3 best albums, which just so happens to be their 3 latest albums. We'll start with the oldest and work our way up, which means first up we have...
Blast Tyrant
2004
CD
DRT Records
The first song on BT, Mercury, is the best way I can think to introduce anyone to Clutch. We start with an instrumental beginning showcasing the bands trademark guitar sound and stunningly timed drum rhythms and fills, then just when your head starts bobbing in appreciation the music cuts out and Neil Fallon, vocalist and lyrical genius, roars in your ears. Fallon doesn't so much sing for Clutch, he preaches. It doesn't matter whether the song is about a riot, a planet, a new hot lady or a mythical goat (and, believe me or not, these are all covered) Fallon's own style is full of gravel and emotion, and boy does it rock. After the short vocal break the music kicks back in, your head begins to bob along again, and your interest is caught.
On the whole the album is very strong, the first half especially holds your interest with each song having a completely different feel, while maintaining the same overall style. Special mention has to go to The Mob Goes Wild (track 3), my personal favorite on the album, the lyrics are both clever and well sung, and the rhythm the song maintains just makes me wanna move. Side note - the video to this song was directed by Bam Margera of Jackass fame (also a big Clutch fan)
The album continues on top form until about mid way through, at which point things start to slow down a bit and the flow is lost, but there are still some gems to be found towards the end of the album. Subtle Hustle has one of the best lyrics on the album -
I got your number. I steal your thunder. I got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm.
and La Curandera has such a catchy riff it is impossible not to be singing it for days after.
For those that have never heard Clutch before I would suggest Blast Tyrant as a good starting point, its been a part of my record collection for a good while now and I still go back to it, even if some songs are skipped.
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Next up came the interestingly named...
Robot Hive / Exodus
2005
CD
DRT Records
Robot Hive / Exodus saw the arrival of organist Mick Schauer as a permanent addition to the bands lineup. Adding in another trademark to the bands sound he helps to complete the sound making it fuller than ever before.
RH/E dives right in to the nitty gritty slamming straight in with the one two punch of "The Incomparable Mr. Flannery" and "Burning Beard", the songs seemingly written as one. Almost like a classical piece Flannery is the slower tempo, swinging movement with Beard (the second movement) repeatedly punching you in the face with its rapid guitar riff.
The album isn't quite as aggressive as this start leads you to believe, with much of the rest it continuing along a slightly more mellow but still uptempo swingy blues rock nature, all of it pure sing along, providing you can work out and remember the bizarre lyrics.
Drummers especially should take note, Jean-Paul Gaster (or JP) seems to specialize in off tempo fills and odd time signatures that always work and keep you on your toes.
My special mention on the album would have to go to 10,000 Witnesses, for the catchy chorus and fantastic lyrics:
They say this year rock is coming back, Jack
White gnashing teeth like wolves in a pack.
This album has less songs that I skip when listening to it, but one the whole I listen to it less than Blast Tyrant. Still a very solid listen.
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Finally the bands latest work gives us...
From Beale Street to Oblivion
2007
CD
DRT Records
This album once again starts off VERY strong, but ebbs off to a weaker finish. It seems that Clutch like to put their power house songs up front on each album, and then just fill the end with whatever is left laying on the recording room floor. From the off with this outing we get You Can't Stop The Progress, a thumping yet short introduction to the album that powers along with a strong tempo throughout, then Power Player (track 2) keeps the tempo up and again grabs your attention and makes you listen.
Things settle down for a few songs until Electric Worry begins, a "part cover song, part original" with half of each verse taken from Mississippi Fred McDowell's "Fred's Worried Life Blues". Worry is my top rated track on the album, made up of guitar/vocal duets during the verses, which then build to a pounding crescendo for the chorus. Collapsing back in on itself for the start of the next verse, truly inspired stuff. Also featured in this song is Eric Oblander (of Five Horse Johnson) playing an astounding harmonica solo. Check it out on youtube here.
For me the rest of the album tails off from this point, I'm unsure if its just because I havent spent enough time listening yet, or if its a new direction the band is heading in, but the songs just dont seem to excite me as much toward the finish.
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That should be enough Clutch information to kick you in to trying them out for a time, if they do grab your interest I would strongly recommend checking out a live show next time they play a town near you - keep your eye on their website for tour dates. Their albums are good, but are nothing when compared to the power of their live shows.
Lineup:
Neil Fallon - Vocals
Tim Sult - Guitar
Dan Maines - Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster - Drums
Mick Schauer - Electric Organ
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