To say that Clutch is a veteran group in the music industry would be an understatement. The band was formed back in 1990 starting in Maryland and has released 10 studio albums. Clutch even owns its own record label now, called Weathermaker. In addition to that, the band has released a couple live performance DVD’s for sale. Their most recent studio project, Earth Rocker, has a laid back sound with iconic vocals headed by Neil Fallon. The other members of the band include Tim Sult (guitars), Dan Maines (bass), and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion).

From the get-go the first band that comes to mind for comparison is Electric Six, mainly due to the nearly identical sounding vocals. The instrumentation has elements of southern rock, funk metal, and hard rock. The song “Unto the Breach” has a Motorhead feel with an uptempo and aggressive feeling vibe with plenty of wah-wah on the electric guitar solo. The title track, “Earth Rocker”, is like a time capsule to Electric Six’s “Dance Epidemic” tune. “D.C. Sound Attack” begins with a bluesy intro featuring the harmonica and has a groovy cowbell rhythm. A real change of pace is on the song “Gone Cold” with Fallon singing a Johnny Cash type ballad. The simplicity of the song makes it very memorable. Earth Rocker would be considered unbearable if the listener had a phobia of a constant ride cymbal and a hatred for pure rock.

Clutch has a solid album on their hands and it goes to show that having experience as a band can really aid in tailoring a band’s sound. The arrangement of different music styles keeps the record fresh and enjoyable throughout. Look for Clutch to perform at the State Theater on May 9^th.