Robot Hive/Exodus

by Clutch

Overview

Can someone please get Clutch a publicity transfusion? While the band has built a rabid fanbase in its 15-plus years of havoc, the intuitive, volatile grooves of Robot Hive: Exodus deserve a closer listen from the clueless types still dawdling over Clutch's musical category. The record satisfies fans of 2004's Blast Tyrant and keeps on trucking stylistically, still featuring Neil Fallon's guttural cerebralisms ("Oh, but to just dine on sewage, cold seagull pie/Wrestle albino alligators and spin the good lie") but incorporating more of additional organ/keys man Mick Schauer and pushing out jams thicker than prehistoric amber. Opener "Incomparable Mr. Flannery" drops references to Dokken, Camaros, and downtown Detroit watering holes on its way to rolling with the moustache and supernova. The track's a good example of producer J. Robbins' feel throughout Robot Hive. He keeps the pace nimble, and that accentuates both the percussion's high end and the organic feel of Clutch's guitar/base strut. They aren't drop-tuning clones or vintage gearheads with no originality. Progressions are found within the riffs, and the blunt bottom end glances off smart lyrics and clever instrumental turns. Clutch offers heavy lifting for the thinking man. Schauer's Hammond shines on "10001110101," where a Deep Purple stomp sets up Fallon's observations of lunatics and the "Robot Lords of Tokyo." "Gravel Road" and "Who's Been Talking?" tinge the blues with heaviness, and "10,000 Witnesses" wouldn't be out of place on a North Mississippi Allstars record. There are also straight-on bangers here, like "Mice and Gods" or the awesomely named "Burning Beard," and "Never be Moved" works a great balance between boogey-metal guitar, Schauer's organ, and righteous gospel proclamations to "get your evolution on." On Robot Hive: Exodus Clutch knows its strengths, but continually challenges them. The band's always pushing the boundaries, and it's time the world outside the underground found that out. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	06/03/2022
Label:	Weathermaker Music
UPC:	0857018008586
Rank:	49103

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Clutch   Primary Artist
Dan Maines   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Jean-Paul Gaster   Drums,Percussion
Mick Schauer   Clavinet,Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Neil Fallon   Guitar,Vocals,Percussion
Tim Sult   Guitar
Jeremy Hunt   Director

Technical Credits

Clutch   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
J. Robbins   Audio Production,Engineer,Producer
Ted Young   Assistant Engineer
Larry Packer   Engineer
Chris Laidlaw   Engineer
Alan Douches   Mastering
John Agnello   Mixing,Engineer
Mississippi Fred McDowell   Composer,Lyricist
Jack Flanagan   Management
Nick Lakiotes   Artwork,Layout Design
Bob McLynn   A&R
Chester "Howlin' Wolf" Burnett   Composer
Jeremy Hunt   Producer