(Requested by Antonio)

Clutch "From Beale Street To Oblivion"


My first experience with the Maryland-based hard rock group Clutch was their rough, mopey, no frills debut album Transnational Speedway League. I had decided to give the band after Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster singer, Dallas Taylor, recommended them in an interview. Now, jumping ahead to their eighth album, From Beale Street To Oblivion, I see that I picked the wrong album to get into this band... but maybe that was for the better.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how far Clutch had come since their debut album. The change in the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation is huge. Whereas the debut was a punk-influenced stoner rock album, this is a soulful, bluesy hard rocker, huge emphasis on the blues.

I've always had a thing for blues, and this album does the genre justice by revamping it with some modern heaviness to keep it all fresh. I'm not going to be a pretentious asswipe by pretending like I know the singer's name here, but whatever his mama called him, his voice sounds a million times better than that drugged-up grunt that I was used to hearing before. Not only is it an improvement, but he can sing the blues with the best of 'em.
Of course, instruments are another vital part of blues, and whoever does the guitar sure manages to pull off all my favorite blues-clichés (I mean this in the best way possible).

I got this album because I liked the single Electric Worry, it seemed like a pretty awesome and straightforward heavy blues song. But when I dug through this album and listened to the lyrics, I was amused at some of the things these guys write. When Vegans Attack is a favorite of mine:
Poking fun at underground hardcore, vegans, and everything in between = pure win.

So in conclusion, I won't lie and say that Clutch created what I'd call a masterpiece, but I will say that they pulled off (several?) an infectious, heavy blues record that is worthy of spending some time with. I dig the vocals, I dig the licks, I dig the lyrics, I dig the whole thing, and I'll probably listen to Clutch some more. Thank you to Antonio for bringing your clutch love to this forum, or else I probably never would have revisited them.

78%
Good

Originally Posted by Alfred (Requested by Antonio) Clutch "From Beale Street To Oblivion" Year: 2007 Genre: Rock/Blues Length: 48:18 My first experience with the Maryland-based hard rock group Clutch was their rough, mopey, no frills debut album Transnational Speedway League. I had decided to give the band after Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster singer, Dallas Taylor, recommended them in an interview. Now, jumping ahead to their eighth album, From Beale Street To Oblivion, I see that I picked the wrong album to get into this band... but maybe that was for the better. I was pleasantly surprised to see how far Clutch had come since their debut album. The change in the vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation is huge. Whereas the debut was a punk-influenced stoner rock album, this is a soulful, bluesy hard rocker, huge emphasis on the blues. I've always had a thing for blues, and this album does the genre justice by revamping it with some modern heaviness to keep it all fresh. I'm not going to be a pretentious asswipe by pretending like I know the singer's name here, but whatever his mama called him, his voice sounds a million times better than that drugged-up grunt that I was used to hearing before. Not only is it an improvement, but he can sing the blues with the best of 'em. Of course, instruments are another vital part of blues, and whoever does the guitar sure manages to pull off all my favorite blues-clichés (I mean this in the best way possible). I got this album because I liked the single Electric Worry, it seemed like a pretty awesome and straightforward heavy blues song. But when I dug through this album and listened to the lyrics, I was amused at some of the things these guys write. When Vegans Attack is a favorite of mine: Poking fun at underground hardcore, vegans, and everything in between = pure win. So in conclusion, I won't lie and say that Clutch created what I'd call a masterpiece, but I will say that they pulled off (several?) an infectious, heavy blues record that is worthy of spending some time with. I dig the vocals, I dig the licks, I dig the lyrics, I dig the whole thing, and I'll probably listen to Clutch some more. Thank you to Antonio for bringing your clutch love to this forum, or else I probably never would have revisited them. 78% Good

Originally Posted by mr dave isn't this one of the main reasons for this entire site? what's next? a thread made specifically to banter about music?

Originally Posted by Alfred Rise Against, Mariana's Trench, All American Rejects and 3OH!3 are the favorite musical groups of a girl I know. She's spoiled, she appears to be a little angel with her big bullshit smile and life accomplishments to back it all up when her parents introduce her, but knowing her for years I know that she's a cold, shallow little bitch. She is easily swayed by what she sees on TV. She is given everything she wants, whether it's her wardrobe of bland yet expensive Abercrombie T-Shirts, her cell phone, iPod, all those accessories that her daddy bought her, or all the places she goes (for a shopping spree?). On paper she is the kind of person I should hate, and yet I have found myself having feelings for her. Now you might be wondering, how does this relate to music? Well, as I said before, her favorite bands are Rise Against, Mariana's Trench, All American Rejects, and 3OH!3. On paper, I should hate these bands. They're produced and appeal to a shallow-minded mainstream audience. Yet they produce the kind of hooks that you cannot help but enjoy. On a good day, you'll hear a song on TV or the radio and nod and hum along. On a worse day, you'll despise them, hate their guts. And when I add it all together, weigh all the positives and negatives... I dislike these bands. Such are my feelings towards this girl. For some reason, I've been attracted to her for a couple of years now, despite all the grief I have been put through. Now, after all this time, I don't want this anymore. She's not the kind of person I want. "Hooks" are decieving, substance is needed for truly good music, and truly good people. I know this all sounds ridiculous and juvenile coming from a young teenager, but I don't really care. This is the only way I could relate music, my current emotions, and my even hatred towards society and pop culture. The bottom line is: you can tell a lot about a person by the music they like. punkrockalfred’s Music Profile – Users at Last.fm Form an opinion about me.

Originally Posted by OBEY "Never trust your own eyes, believe what you are told".

Originally Posted by Alfred Now you might be wondering, how does this relate to music? Well, as I said before, her favorite bands are Rise Against, Mariana's Trench, All American Rejects, and 3OH!3. On paper, I should hate these bands. They're produced and appeal to a shallow-minded mainstream audience. Yet they produce the kind of hooks that you cannot help but enjoy. On a good day, you'll hear a song on TV or the radio and nod and hum along. On a worse day, you'll despise them, hate their guts. And when I add it all together, weigh all the positives and negatives... I dislike these bands. Such are my feelings towards this girl. For some reason, I've been attracted to her for a couple of years now, despite all the grief I have been put through. Now, after all this time, I don't want this anymore. She's not the kind of person I want. "Hooks" are decieving, substance is needed for truly good music, and truly good people. I know this all sounds ridiculous and juvenile coming from a young teenager, but I don't really care. This is the only way I could relate music, my current emotions, and my even hatred towards society and pop culture. The bottom line is: you can tell a lot about a person by the music they like. punkrockalfred’s Music Profile – Users at Last.fm Form an opinion about me.