CLUTCH - Earth Rocker
March 26, 2013, 11 years ago
(Weathermaker Music)
Forget whatever negative thoughts you’ve had in the past about CLUTCH. On its tenth studio release, Earth Rocker, the Maryland quartet attack with a renewed vigor. Fat grooves, heavy-hammered drum beats, sludgy as hell riffs and commanding vocals are all on display here. The 11 tracks are simplistic, straight-forward, non-pretentious, blues-based dirty rock ‘n’ roll jams. The band’s musical contributions are exceptionally commendable in its simplistic but powerful approach. The huge, in-your-face, snare-smackin’ sound and the steady shuffle-beat rudiments from drummer Jean-Paul Gaster will slam the hell out of you. Guitarist Tim Sult launches his sludgy, thick as mud guitar riffs like scud missiles, and bassist Dan Maines lays down plenty of heavy-handed basslines. Fallon’s ferocious vocal delivery is reminiscent of a Southern Baptist preacher or an old-time traveling sideshow salesman unleashing his angst toward the listener. Once that infectious riff of CD opener title track kicks in, you’re hooked. And look no further than the line “I will suffer no evil/My guitar will guide me through” to get your endorphins rising and your fists pumping. This is a very balanced album; the songs are streamlined, concise and consistent. I think a few people will be a little bit surprised at how good Clutch sound on Earth Rocker.
