 | Tracklist:
1. Big News I
2. Big News II
3. Rock N Roll Outlaw
4. Texan Book Of The Dead
5. Escape From The Prison Planet
6. Spacegrass
7. I Have The Body Of John Wilkes Booth
8. Tight Like That
9. Animal Farm
10. Droid
11. The House That Peterbilt
12. 7 Jam
13. Tim Sult Vs. The Greys
| Ranking: #75 for 1995 | |
|
On 23 Lists
|
3 of 3 thought this review was well written
Released in 1995, Clutch deliver their sophomore groovy, riff-laden self-titled album. Clutch was met by slight mainstream exposure and most fans of the band consider this album to be the bands finest moment as well being regarded as one of the best stoner rock albums released in the 90's. What Clutch made is an album that can be intelligent when it wants to and strange when it feels right. In this album lies the signature vocal style of Neil Fallon, the groovy guitar playing of Tim Sult, the booming, funky bass lines of Dan Maines and the superb, catchy drumming of Jean-Paul Gaster.
The album runs at around a little more than 55 minutes, but in that time Clutch manages to accomplish their mission very well. Zeppelin/Sabbath-esque riffs straggle throughout the album and they are quite damn catchy and impressive to say the very least. The bass lines are also up to par with the guitar riffs. For example, the album's opener, Big News I features those signature groovy catchy, funk bass lines and guitar riffs that make this album such a grandiose accomplishment. Big News II picks up right off where its brother track left off except this time it is much more fast paced and more riff laden than the last track. Great combo track to start off an awesome record. The lyrics are quite vapid and hilarious and show off Neil Fallon's unique charismatic vocal style that ranges from high pitch growls to low toned snarls. Hell, some tracks on the record like Escape From the Prison Planet even have Fallon sort of rapping though not annoying a la Fred Durst.
Texan Book of the Dead is one of my favorite songs off Clutch. All of the members nail it on this track. Its a fun song to rock your head to and is also fast paced like Big News II and the energetic, Animal Farm. Also, as mentioned before, Clutch is known to furnish very intelligent, yet inane lyrics and this song shows it early in the album. Whats so good about this song is how Neil shows that he is not a one dimensional singer. He once again changes vocal tones and styles very effortlessly and concise. Spacegrass features some of the most bizarre, unconventional lyrics I have ever heard and I mean that in a good way. The lyrics are about a dude traveling in space with his Dodge Swinger 1973 seeing outer space wonders like "watching the universe expand". The song feels very spacey as well with cool little sounds floating around your speakers providing a sort of ambiance and once the thundering power riffs kick in, they will send your head bopping back and forth in this way-out there tune. This is one of the album highlights and a fan favorite and its obvious why.
Every song on this record is uniquely its own. No track sounds like another and you won't get déja vu listening to this record. Clutch has so much variety that there is a little something for everyone. But needless to say, that is a bit of an exaggerated statement. This album isn't really for everyone. Neil Fallon's vocal style, albeit loved by many, may have to grow on new listeners as some may find it annoying and foreign to them, but nevertheless Fallon is a great powerful vocalist with quite the attitude.
The thing about Clutch is that it gets better and better with every listen, slowly turning into a classic for some with amazing replay value. Droid and 7 Jam have that instant lovable Clutch charm and will get stuck in your head with its signature unique blend of Tony Iommi influenced riffs and its sophisticated drum beats. Truly every track on this record has memorable riffing and well seasoned bass lines. No song drags on too much producing meaningless, unnecessary cacophonous noise that takes the song nowhere. Also what might also be noted is the crisp, warm audio production. All of the instruments can be heard clearly in the mix without one instrument overpowering the other. You might even consider this album a classic if it weren't for some of the flaws it has. For instance, some songs might be boring to some people on their first listen and it isn't the most accessible album out there, but other than the minor blemishes mentioned, this is an ass-kicking album to check out! If your into great 90's rock music then this is your album.
Notable tracks:
Big News II
Texan Book of the Dead
Tight Like That
Spacegrass
Droid
7 Jam
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
props for reviewing this. clutch are my fav rock band. this album is great but not my fav of theirs. i def would like to see them bring back their grittier side though
Digging: In Mourning - The Weight of Oceans Digging: In Mourning - The Weight of Oceans | | |
Prefer Blast Tyrant to this, but good review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Edited my mistakes. Yikes! I hate when I read over it too fast and miss some stuff.
Blast Tyrant is great but I found this one a bit more enjoyable. Anybody check out their live DVD yet?
| | | Album Rating: 4
Great review! It's not my favorite of theirs, but definitely very solid effort. They had more amazing albums ahead of them at that time.
Digging: Hawk Eyes - Ideas Digging: Hawk Eyes - Ideas | | |
Good review. I just discovered these guys like a week ago. I borrowed one of their albums from my cousin and I loved it. I should try this one.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Good review. I just discovered these guys like a week ago. I borrowed one of their albums from my cousin and I loved it. I should try this one.
Yeah man definitely try this album next. I just first listened to these guys about two weeks ago, so I am a pretty new listener too.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Second best Clutch album, just a notch or so under Blast Tyrant. :D
Love Animal Farm, great lyrics.
| | |
Spacegrass is pure brilliance.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This was the first Clutch I picked up.
It's tough to pick between all their stuff, but I think I come back to listen to this self-titled album, Blast Tyrant, and Robot Hive/Exodus most often.
Great, great all-round groovy rock.
Digging: Lamb of God - Resolution Digging: Lamb of God - Resolution | | | Album Rating: 4.5
when this album came out, you couldn't bad mouth this band one bit at my highschool. still a classic today. still rockin my copy i bought in '95
Digging: Noisia - Imperial | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Pure Rock Fury and everything after this, aside from Elephant Riders, smokes this, but its got some damn good songs regardless. They played alot of this live last night and it is 10X better live.
Digging: Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction | | | Album Rating: 3.5
not nearly as interesting as Blast Tyrant and Robot Hive
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
The definitive Clutch album. Hell, all their shit is excellent.
| | |
I have plans for the future, guess they're futuristic plans
Move out West and buy some desert lands
Or maybe up North, just past Alaska
You know nothing of this if they ask ya
Digging: Alabama Shakes - Alabama Shakes
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
TASTES JUST LIKE CHICKEN THEY SAY
| | |
I really should give this band a listen at some point.
Digging: Cressida - Asylum Digging: Cressida - Asylum
| | |
Actually they're all around.
Secret bunkers underground.
Round 'em up, skin 'em alive,
Rolling, rolling, rolling, rawhiiide.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Jamie, start with Blast Tyrant, it is the most up your alley.
| | |
Ok I'll check that out
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
LISTEN UP YOU FUCKING MAGGOTS
Digging: Animal Collective - Honeycomb/Gotham | | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
