Artist: Clutch

CD Review

CD Title: Strange Cousins from the West

Record Label: Weathermaker Music

By Adam Bowman

Clutch, for some reason unbeknownst to anyone who likes good music, has bubbled under the radar for – oh, twenty years or so.  Regarding a reason why, I may have already provided one.  Not soaking the airwaves, but far from deserted, they remain rock's worst-kept secret.

“Strange Cousins From The West” is Clutch's follow up to the undeniably excellent “From Beale Street To Oblivion” (a record so good that it sure didn't feel like nearly 26 months between the two).  That's really the best way to sum up “Cousins”; it's the natural next step for Clutch.  Blues are still flowing, still mixed half-and-half with the trademark energy and suave that puts this band second to nobody on a stage.  J. Robbins produces a more focused beam of energy, though the songs feature more open spaces than anything found on “Beale”.

Fallon remains a capable melodic captain behind the microphone.  “Abraham Lincoln” plays as a serious prequel to the more playful “I Have The Body Of John Wilkes Booth”, while “Minotaur” doubles as a thank you to the fans and a coy way to explain the band to new folk than anyone else has come up with.

If you know Clutch, expect the same greatness experienced previously.  If you're new and want it summed up in one line, here you go:  Clutch is music you strut to.  Buy the songs, buy a ticket, and get in on the secret