Clutch is a band that, I believe, has never gotten the proper respect and attention that they deserve. Of course, unfortunately, isn’t this usually the case with most good rock bands nowadays. It is true Clutch may not have the polished sound and look to make it as a million CD selling power group, but they sure know how to kick some major butt. This four piece band from Maryland has been producing non-commercial and more recently independent pure rock for two decades and they have managed to keep the same lineup for all those years. Unlike some bands, * cough, cough* Kiss, they value the importance of keeping the original members of the band together to preserve the Clutch sound.
In their twenty plus career Clutch has released some spectacular CDs and gained a cult following that has allowed the band to become a truly independent band. In 2004 they released their classic “Blast Tyrant” CD (on DRT Records) and it is, in my opinion, one of their greatest releases. Recently the band has re-issued a deluxe double CD of this classic CD on their independently owned label Weathermaker Music and it is a great and fun reissue. I have always found there is something about Clutch that is appealing to me; I think it may be the thick guitar sounds of Tim Sult, the big sounding backbone drumming of Jean Paul Gaster and raspy deep and mesmerizing vocals of Neil Fallon that creates a unique sound that can only be labeled Clutch. From the opening “Mercury” to the closing “WYSIWYG” this CD grabs you by the collar and slams your face mercilessly against a wall of “pure rock fury”. Not to mention some of the greatest songs the band has ever recorded are on this CD i.e. “The Mob Goes Wild” and “The Regulator”.
The ten song bonus disc entitled “Basket of Eggs” contains unreleased acoustic versions of “The Regulator”, “Tight Like That”, and a great new bluesy song entitled “Box Car Shorty’s Confession.” Also included are demo versions of “Cattle Car” which will eventually become “Cypress Grove”, “Promoter” and “LaCurandera”.
Overall “Blast Tyrant” is a must for any Clutch fan, the second disc alone makes it worth it. If you have not yet heard these guys then this is the perfect introduction for new listeners. For those of us who have been fans since the beginning; this is a great addition to our collections and something new to listen to until their next CD comes out.
