Strange Cousins from the West

by Clutch

Overview

The first Clutch studio release in over two years, Strange Cousins from the West is their ninth studio effort; their second recorded with producer J. Robbins at his Magpie Cage Studio in Baltimore, MD; and their first original studio release on their self-owned label, Weathermaker Music. If you're familiar with Clutch at this point in the band's career (after almost 20 years), there aren't too many surprises; it's another album filled with greasy, bluesy, down-home stoner rock. One slight variation this time around is that keyboardist Mick Schauer isn't on board -- bassist Dan Maines, drummer Jean-Paul Gaster, guitarist Tim Sult, and vocalist/guitarist Neil Fallon recorded as a four-piece -- and the lack of a Hammond organ and the stripped-down production give the album a rawer, more organic, and more spatial feel. This leaves more room for the beefy bass tone and delirious lyrics ("Anthrax, ham radio...and liquor!") to shine, but because the grooves are a touch slower and more restrained, Strange Cousins from the West is a step down from their last three albums, From Beale Street to Oblivion, Robot Hive: Exodus, and Blast Tyrant. Even if it's a little less lively, it's still pretty typical Clutch: always heavy, always solid, and ideal background music for driving a semi-truck through a swamp. ~ Jason Lymangrover

Product Details

Release Date:	07/14/2009
Label:	Weathermaker Music
UPC:	0896308002088
Rank:	77190

Tracks

1. Motherless Child
2. Struck Down
3. 50,000 Unstoppable Watts
4. Abraham Lincoln
5. Minotaur
6. The Amazing Kreskin
7. Witchdoctor
8. Let a Poor Man Be
9. Freakonomics
10. Algo Ha Cambiado
11. Sleestak Lightning

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Clutch   Primary Artist
Jean-Paul Gaster   Drums
Dan Maines   Bass
Tim Sult   Guitar
Neil Fallon   Vocals,Guitar

Technical Credits

Nick Lakiotes   Design,Artwork,Graphic Design
Jon Nardachone   Label Manager
Jack Flanagan   Management
Rick "The Drum Guy" Malkin   Photography
Rick Malkin   Photography
Greg Franklin   Illustrations,Illustrations
Norberto Napolitano   Composer
Clutch   Producer,Composer
J. Robbins   Engineer,Mixing,Producer
Bob Weston   Mixing