Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 19/3/2013
Label : Weathermaker Music
Earth Rocker, album tracklisting:
1) Earth Rocker 3:31
2) Crucial Velocity 4:00
3) Mr. Freedom 2:44
4) D.C. Sound Attack! 4:37
5) Unto The Breach 3:30
6) Gone Cold 4:21
7) The Face 4:22
8) Book, Saddle & Go 3:44
9) Cyborg Bette 3:14
10) Oh, Isabella 5:18
11) The Wolf Man Kindly Request... 5:02
Line up
Neil Fallon- Vocals/Guitar
Jean-Paul Gaster- Drums
Dan Maines- Bass
Tim Sult- Guitar
Review
The new Clutch album. Whatever you might be expecting, this
is better than that. “Earth Rocker” itself is the first round; it will leave you battered and bruised
from the relentless rhythm, vibe and energy. Clutch are BACK! Truthfully, there
hasn't been a bad Clutch record. Yes, Strange Cousins From The West was a
little... laid back, but it was still decent. From Beale Street To Oblivion was
excellent in parts, Robot Hive/Exodus mostly superb. You have to go back to
Blast Tyrant to find Clutch at their best throughout, though. Fortunately,
Clutch have done that here- they have utilised producer Machine again and the
results are stunning.
The record is so UP, so groove ridden that words are not
adequate to describe it. “Crucial Velocity” follows the title track- the
title is apt. “Mr Freedom” is just as good with some trademark Fallon
lyrics. For me, “DC Sound Attack” really stands out- the groove is
incredible, the pacing sublime, the whole band absolutely on fire. There is
also a cowbell. Just saying, like.
“Unto The Breach” keeps the energy up and the record
is, unbelievably, nearly half over. “Gone Cold” takes the listener into more
mellow territory- real album structuring is at work here. It's not just a collection of songs, but an ebb and flow that
takes you on an enjoyable road trip.
“The Face” kicks off the next phase of the record
nicely and is followed by two stormers: “Book, Saddle and Go” and “Cyborg
Bette”. All relevant Clutch-isms are operating at full whack here; big
hooks, big riffs, sermonising vocals... its all there, just how you want it to
be. “Oh Isabella” and “The Wolf Man Kindly Requests...” close the
album out very strongly. There is no filler here. There are no weak moments.
There is nothing wasted. There is not a lyric, not a riff, not even a cymbal
crash that is out of place.
If you ever had an interest in Clutch, rock, metal or just
great music- buy this album. Clutch are
better musicians than most, but they are a much better band than just about
everybody (there is a crucial difference). What an album it is. An early
contender for album of the year, no question.
Words by : Richard Maw
Well, I couldn't agree more with Richard's review. Stunning album and it will nestling into the top spot of many year end lists. As always show your support to the band. Buy the record directly from their store here or from just about everywhere now. Hell buy two copies.
