Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West

Back once again from the other psychedelic realm where Clutch reside, the band is ready to assault the masses with their ninth studio release, "Strange Cousins From The West". On this release they take a back to the past approach while still incorporating their metal attitude. Ever since Blast Tyrant, Clutch has been readily infusing a heavy blues influence into the mix and with this release they continue along that same glorious path.



Several songs even feature two guitar solos as Clutch inches steadily closer to jam band status. Many of these songs, from the first single “50,000 Unstoppable Watts” to the blues dirge “Abraham Lincoln,” seem ready-made for live improvisation. Strange Cousins isn’t a radical departure from the sound Clutch has honed on their last few albums. On songs like ”Struck Down” and “Let a Poor Man Be,” Clutch trots out the bouncy, Southern-fried riffs and subversive, sardonic lyrics that we’ve come to expect from the veteran band. It’s that rare breed of music that simultaneously makes you want to shake your booty and throw the horns.



This album is a winner for anyone who has been a big fan of the last 3 discs, even though Mick Schauer is no longer present on keyboards(Or Per Wiberg for that matter, Opeth). The lack of keys is the only detraction from this being a full rating of 5 in my book. The fans out there that were hoping that Clutch was going to return to the bombastic sounds of the past, like their self titled masterpiece, I am sorry to say that it looks like that will never happen. This album will find its place among my top ten albums of the year I am sure...maybe even the top 3..I can hardly fathom any other releases scheduled this year to be as kick ass as this one.

Band: Clutch
Album: Strange Cousins From The West
Genre: Stoner/Prog/Doom Influenced/Blues/retro Classic Rock
Country: USA
Download: Here

By Bez aka Hand Of Doom