Clutch Pure Rock Fury CD

This is a Hyper CD which, besides containing regular audio tracks, provides a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser.
Clutch: Neil Fallon (vocals, guitar, organ); Tim Sult (guitar); Dan Maines (bass); Jean-Paul Gaster (drums).
Additional personnel: Scott "Wino" Weinrich, Leslie West (guitar, background vocals); Joe Selby (guitar); Heartbeat (congas, background vocals); Dan Kevzwyck, Machine (background vocals).
Producers: Uncle Punchy, Machine, Jason Corsaro, Leslie West.
Engineers: Larry Packer, Ben Elliott, Shawn "Gus" Vitale.
Recorded at Uncle Punchy's, Silver Spring, Maryland and live at the 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C. in September, 2000.
This is a Hyper CD, which contains regular audio tracks and also provides a link to the artist's website with the help of a web browser.
On Pure Rock Fury, Neil Fallon's narratives provide potent commentaries on popular culture, even as he distances Clutch from more explicitly political musicians by remaining cynical and critical, rather than committing to political action: "At times I'm even tempted to seek the advice of Dr. Laura, but I ignore her/So I take a deep breath and count to ten/Ain't gonna let it get under my skin." Fallon's lyrics remain deliberately vague regarding what precisely the problems are, and draw from myth, literature, and pop culture as they navigate psychedelic landscapes reminiscent, at times, of songs by Black Sabbath or Monster Magnet. Whether singing road songs such as "Sinkemlow" or the anthemic title track, Fallon emerges as the premier wordsmith of stoner rock on Pure Rock Fury. At the same time, unrelenting, driving grooves compel the listener effortlessly into Fallon's landscapes as deep, wide-open riffs swagger beneath wailing solos and pounding rhythms, again recalling the specter of Black Sabbath. Clutch's usual lineup is supplemented with number of cameos, including Scott Weinrich of Spirit Caravan. If Fallon's lyrics are obscure regarding the problem, on thing is made clear: "Pure rock fury is the ultimate solution." This album delivers on its promise and then some as Clutch does what they do best -- and the best they've ever done it. ~ Rich Goldman
Clutch continue to consolidate their hard rock mixed with funk for their third full-length album, PURE ROCK FURY, this time co-opting former Mountain supremo Leslie West for both guitar and shared production duties. The Maryland quartet has a fine way with an acerbic, absurdist lyric, and at times, as in the Pink Floyd-quoting "Careful With That Mic," they score a direct hit; the aforementioned tune features a hilarious speed rap demolition of many of the acts currently featured on alternative rock radio.
The production highlights the band's unimpeachable musical skills, while avoiding the usual pitfalls of sonic bombast. Clutch's sound lurks midway between metal and R&B, and though this might make them sound like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, vocalist Neil Fallon's lyrics alone place the band light years away from the California combo. Fallon's lyrics make sense in a stream of consciousness kind of way--they're actually fun to listen to, recalling a time before bands like Clutch found it necessary to lace their songs with angst to put across their worldview.

Hyper CD

NME (Magazine) (4/7/01, p.43) - 8 out of 10 - "...Sheer visceral exhilaration, top frazzled tunes and an arsenal of fiercely intellignet and acidic witticisms..."