Clutch - From Beale Street to Oblivion

nad · #1 04-11-2007, 04:39 PM

Well, the jury is still out on this one, but I do like it more each time I listen to it. It's like the last one but a little more dirty yet accessible at the same time. I've been preoccupied with the "new" Electric Wizard (We Live from 2004) so haven't time to give it a fair shake, but hey, it's Clutch. Not like the disc didn't instantly gravitate toward my Bring With Me Everywhere CD Wallet.

I know there's several Clutch fans 'round here.

scottyd · #2 04-11-2007, 06:00 PM

Hellz yah!

Cirrused · #3 04-12-2007, 01:58 PM

I dig it, definatly same ole Clutch. I just can't help but feel I've heard it before. Electric Worry is by far the best track. Hopefully more loud listens will open it up more.

Don W · #4 04-13-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirrused

Hopefully more loud listens will open it up more.

I see I'm not the only one who believes that Clutch should always be listened to at high volumes.

As for the album, as usual Clutch has continued to evolve so it will take me a while to really dig the album, but so far I like it. I just don't think it's quite as good as Robot Hive/Exodus, or Blast Tyrant. I'm sure in a couple weeks I'll like it just as much though.

olaff421 · #5 04-15-2007, 11:58 AM

I saw them on tour twice before they released the album. I was amazed at the new songs live, and still am listening to them on the CD.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Neil and JP after thier last Knoxville gig. I talked to the rest of the band a little, but not as much as Neil. Talking with them made me like the music even more. Great group of guys. I also got a limited run poster signed by the whole band.

**Adam Barkley** · #6 04-01-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm came late to this party.

Musically it sounds like these sounds were written at the same time as RobotHive/Exodus. Maybe the double name could have meant a double disc release that was canned?

I'll say one thing, Clutch is one of the best mixed bands I've ever heard. Everything is clear and Dan Maine (whose tone is pretty old-school with a lot of bottom and no top) is audible even in riffs that the entire group plays. They are a band that really knows how to use the bass, not guitars, to fill out the sound.

Tnavis · #7 04-01-2008, 07:15 AM

I missed this thread the first time too. I've seen them twice since this album came out, and they are extremely tight live and put on one hell of a show. They always bring along quality openers, too. That's how I found out about Murder by Death!

Matt Till · #8 04-01-2008, 03:42 PM

Maybe I'm alone, but I was really let down by this album. Only gave it about 3 listens, didn't like it that much. A great album by most standards, but pales in comparison to Clutch's previous releases.

**Adam Barkley** · #9 04-01-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Till

Maybe I'm alone, but I was really let down by this album. Only gave it about 3 listens, didn't like it that much. A great album by most standards, but pales in comparison to Clutch's previous releases.

I like the songs, but I see what you are saying. The bar is pretty high for them.

I still think most of the songs were songs that didn't make it on Robot Hive.

amos · #10 04-01-2008, 11:01 PM

I liked the production on this album a lot. Joe Barresi is probably my favorite rock producer. A very cohesive album I thought. Clutch is best experienced at high volumes and live if possible.

Who ever did the mixing at the Roseland at the Portland, OR show last month did one helluva job. First time I'd seen a show there with zero mud in the bass dept.

nad · #11 04-02-2008, 12:00 AM

There is definitely something lacking about this one, but I still enjoy it. Robot Hive/Exodus and the self-titled are my favourites.

I still have yet to witness them in concert. Shame.

lowendgenerator · #12 04-02-2008, 12:16 AM

Agreed. After such a run of great albums, it was inevitable that C! would put out an album that less than made me crap myself. I've given it several thousand listens over the last year. It's still a VERY solid album, way above the bar set by current bands, it's just lacking that magical blast from the spice weasel.

Dan Maines is the reason why I want an 8x10 so bad. That guy has tone out his yin yang!

bassboysam · #13 04-13-2008, 05:00 PM

This album is meant to be heard live, the CD does not do the songs justice. I saw them in Burlington VT and then in Toronto the following night. Child of the City, although not my favorite song on the album, translates into an amazingly heavy song live. I think a lot of it has to do with Neil's singing. he is more aggressive live and without the overdubs its raw and just RAWKS.

Love it. And Dan does not get enough respect in the bass community.

BTW the new Bakerton Album is pretty kick ass as well.

I realized that I would love to see JP release a CD of just drum beats. Nothing makes me come up with basslines like listening to his drums. Can you imagine 20-30 tracks of JP's drumming on a CD. I would pay $100 for that

amos · #14 04-14-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

This album is meant to be heard live, the CD does not do the songs justice. I saw them in Burlington VT and then in Toronto the following night. Child of the City, although not my favorite song on the album, translates into an amazingly heavy song live. I think a lot of it has to do with Neil's singing. he is more aggressive live and without the overdubs its raw and just RAWKS.

Love it. And Dan does not get enough respect in the bass community.

BTW the new Bakerton Album is pretty kick ass as well.

I realized that I would love to see JP release a CD of just drum beats. Nothing makes me come up with basslines like listening to his drums. Can you imagine 20-30 tracks of JP's drumming on a CD. I would pay $100 for that

+10000

ack · #15 04-14-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboysam

This album is meant to be heard live, the CD does not do the songs justice. I saw them in Burlington VT and then in Toronto the following night. Child of the City, although not my favorite song on the album, translates into an amazingly heavy song live. I think a lot of it has to do with Neil's singing. he is more aggressive live and without the overdubs its raw and just RAWKS.

Love it. And Dan does not get enough respect in the bass community.

BTW the new Bakerton Album is pretty kick ass as well.

I realized that I would love to see JP release a CD of just drum beats. Nothing makes me come up with basslines like listening to his drums. Can you imagine 20-30 tracks of JP's drumming on a CD. I would pay $100 for that

Spot on!
The songs on Beale Street were first played live on the road to determine how the songs should be played, then they were laid down in the studio. An awesome approach to assembling an album.

As with all Clutch stuff, if you don't love it, turn it up...you'll eventually get it...and read the lyrics, they're incredible. One of the greatest headphone bands out there.

Saw them last month in Raleigh, and taking my 14 yr old in 2 weeks down to the coast to see them again.
Totally agree with your statement about Child...a good song on vinyl, but a kick ass hair-raiser live...They opened the night with Gravel Road (Mississippi Fred McDowell) and I was blown away for the rest of the night.

Dan Maines always gets my vote for most underrated bassist, and JP is simply the best at what he does. Tim Sult has re-invented the Wah Pedal, and Neil is Neil, enough said.

Peace.

BillMason · #16 05-05-2008, 12:51 PM

Ok - so I just reconnected with a guitar player friend of mine from high school (I graduated in '88 and he in '84, so it was a long time). This guy always had his "finger on the pulse" so to speak, and was directly responsible for my introduction to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and numerous other great bands that I would never have listened to and possibly would never have heard of if not for him. We got talking about getting together to play some of the old stuff, and he said he's mostly been listening to old Sabbath and Clutch. I nodded my head and smiled, pretending to know who the h&LL Clutch were, and then today went out and bought this CD.

He did it again - I'm a fan. Their riffs are (to me) reminiscent of Sabbath and Zeppelin, which is likely the blues influence of all three bands coming through, and no doubt a Sabbath and Zeppelin influence on Clutch as well.

The bass player plays very solid - doesn't stick his neck out when it's obvious that he has the chops to do so, and definitely keeps up with some very fast and complicated-sounding guitar riffs. I wish I knew where I've been for the last 15 years, as I Googled them and discovered they've been around since 1993. Heaven only knows how many chances to see them I passed up because I had no idea who they were...

Anyway, they're now in my Top 10! I'll have to get some more and see what their earlier stuff was like - the comment from lowendgenerator above that "...it was inevitable that C! would put out an album that less than made me crap myself" really makes me want to hear more, as this one is great.

**Adam Barkley** · #17 05-05-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMason

Ok - so I just reconnected with a guitar player friend of mine from high school (I graduated in '88 and he in '84, so it was a long time). This guy always had his "finger on the pulse" so to speak, and was directly responsible for my introduction to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and numerous other great bands that I would never have listened to and possibly would never have heard of if not for him. We got talking about getting together to play some of the old stuff, and he said he's mostly been listening to old Sabbath and Clutch. I nodded my head and smiled, pretending to know who the h&LL Clutch were, and then today went out and bought this CD.

He did it again - I'm a fan. Their riffs are (to me) reminiscent of Sabbath and Zeppelin, which is likely the blues influence of all three bands coming through, and no doubt a Sabbath and Zeppelin influence on Clutch as well.

The bass player plays very solid - doesn't stick his neck out when it's obvious that he has the chops to do so, and definitely keeps up with some very fast and complicated-sounding guitar riffs. I wish I knew where I've been for the last 15 years, as I Googled them and discovered they've been around since 1993. Heaven only knows how many chances to see them I passed up because I had no idea who they were...

Anyway, they're now in my Top 10! I'll have to get some more and see what their earlier stuff was like - the comment from lowendgenerator above that "...it was inevitable that C! would put out an album that less than made me crap myself" really makes me want to hear more, as this one is great.

I'd work backwards if I were you. Their style has taken a pretty linear progression. If you like Beale Street you definitely like Robot Hive/Exodus.

LaceMusic · #18 05-05-2008, 02:38 PM

Blast Tyrant came to be one of my all-time favorites. My fave Clutch is Jam Room - some goofy songs off-the-cuff, but MAN they kick out the riffs. Come on down and getcho self a WHAAALE - Bone!

BTW, Clutch's drummer is one of the best out right now IMHO. Bassplayers would CREAM to get locked in with JP - When I saw them live, I swear I could close my eyes and it was John Bonham reincarnate - Moreso than Jason!

bassboysam · #19 05-05-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMason

Ok - so I just reconnected with a guitar player friend of mine from high school (I graduated in '88 and he in '84, so it was a long time). This guy always had his "finger on the pulse" so to speak, and was directly responsible for my introduction to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and numerous other great bands that I would never have listened to and possibly would never have heard of if not for him. We got talking about getting together to play some of the old stuff, and he said he's mostly been listening to old Sabbath and Clutch. I nodded my head and smiled, pretending to know who the h&LL Clutch were, and then today went out and bought this CD.

He did it again - I'm a fan. Their riffs are (to me) reminiscent of Sabbath and Zeppelin, which is likely the blues influence of all three bands coming through, and no doubt a Sabbath and Zeppelin influence on Clutch as well.

The bass player plays very solid - doesn't stick his neck out when it's obvious that he has the chops to do so, and definitely keeps up with some very fast and complicated-sounding guitar riffs. I wish I knew where I've been for the last 15 years, as I Googled them and discovered they've been around since 1993. Heaven only knows how many chances to see them I passed up because I had no idea who they were...

Anyway, they're now in my Top 10! I'll have to get some more and see what their earlier stuff was like - the comment from lowendgenerator above that "...it was inevitable that C! would put out an album that less than made me crap myself" really makes me want to hear more, as this one is great.

Another gearhead, I love it.

Keep rockin' the clutch.

from the band's myspace page
"Weathermaker Music is the new label established by the band Clutch. Look for ALL future Clutch and Bakerton Group releases on Weathermaker Music! First up--COMING LATE SUMMER 2008--A live DVD and live companion CD from CLUTCH!!!"

thats good news, no more jumping from label to label, hopefuly this is a sign that there will be another 20 years of Clutch.

BillMason · #20 05-08-2008, 11:53 AM

Since I got this CD, I've been kinda freaking out over the really low grumbly growly sounds I'm hearing, wondering "how the f*** is he doing that on a four string Les Paul bass???"

It just occurred to me today that it's probably the organ, playing way down in the low range - anyone know for sure? If not, anyone know how the bass player is doing it?