Clutch is the greatest rock and roll band today and there is no doubt but a strong conviction. As convincing is their tenth album “Earth Rocker”. Because, let’s be honest – for 20 years the Maryland four has 10 albums, one compilation of unreleased tracks, some official lives, some official bootlegs, side projects and aal of this is extremely strong. And as they enter their forties, the guys explode with their most energetic and straight album.

4 years passed between the last two studio releases. Of course, the guys didn’t sit and rest during this time but tore their asses of touring, rereleases of their previous albums, filled with bonus tracks and from a moment on in their concert there sneaked one or another new song. An album? Yes, an album! And while we impatiently waited for it, they aired the first track. “Earth Rocker”. Well, this song completely shows what is Clutch – unstoppable energy, a constant push forward, a sreamed Boowahaha! In your face and the message “If you gonna do it, do it live on stage – or don’t do it at all”. Where, as we perfectly know, Clutch are the uncompromising and absolute Pure Rock Fury.

Behind the mixing deck for the second time there sits The Machine – the guy responsible for the best Clutch album “Blast Tyrant” and while listening to the resul, I think that they should hire him for every record they make. Before the recording he has asked each band member to make a playlists with the songs of Clutch that he would play right at this moment at a concert. And based on those 4 compilations he has started the working process.
 
“Earth Rocker” came out. Tentatively I played it for first time – it is my favorite band and there is always the worry “And what about now?” Well, now more than a month later I just can’t stop listening to it. Each song, each! is a fuckin’ hymn. “Crucial Velocity” with its claim “My Rocket 88, fastest in the land” and a link towards the pointed out as the first rock and roll song ever (ny Sam Phillips) – isn’t their primal rock and roll actually their fastest? Yes. “Earth Rocker” is the most dynamic, speedy and muscular record by Clutch if we don’t count the raw rage of the debut album. Then there comes “Mr. Freedom” – with its insistent rhythm it is the sonar equivalent of kick in the ass that just won’t let you sit down. “DC Sound Attack” with its riff and the harmonica. The roar of “Unto The Breach”.

The acoustic blues in “Gone Cold”. The heavy epic “The Face”, standing against all those assholes who take over your life and soul „And they stole your rock and roll” and the impatient rock rebellion for freedom. And so on until the end. With no drama, no posing, no joke. Clutch is the greatest rock and roll band today.