CD Review: Clutch's 'Pure Rock Fury' Finger Lickin' Good-(Iowa State U.)
By: Jon Dahlager - U-WIRE
March 22nd 2001 12:10am
(U-WIRE) AMES, Iowa -- Chicken-fried steak is a freakish food abomination. Admittedly, there are a lot of foods that taste great covered in a greasy, crunchy batter, but steak is definitely not one of them. There are also Fred Durst fans and metal purists who would say that southern country-rock has no business mixing with hardcore and metal. However, Maryland natives Clutch have been pounding out their unique flavor of hick hardcore since 1991, and damn, does it taste good. Armed with witty, unorthodox and sometimes stream-of-consciousness lyrics, vocalist Neil Fallon barks his way through countrified metal that stomps harder than most so-called hardcore acts. "Careful With that Mic" features some of the most ingenious and amusing lyrics ever in what could be a jab at former tour-mate Fred Durst or any of the recent rap-rock sensations. "So tell me, when you took the practice scholastic aptitude test did you know the answers or did you just guess?/ You rely on gimmicks to amuse your fans and act all urban to jack-up your sound-scan," Fallon raps on the track. The cleverness/absurdity continues with "Mmmm ... this is really good ice cream! You want some of it?/ Oh, my bad, I didn't know you were lactose intolerant." The unconventional lyrics and vocal delivery continue throughout "Pure Rock Fury," which, true to its title, rocks furiously and consistently. The album is catchy in ways that commercial radio will probably never understand - which is a complete shame. No one is getting one step closer to the edge or catching butterflies in Clutch. Fallon tells stories rather than focusing on his emotions or escapades. And sometimes, he is just plain weird. "So who's been planting magic beans to catch themselves a golden hen?/ We've spent so many years going over this we can't start that all again!/ How would you like to dine a la Frankenstein?" Fallon sings in "Frankenstein." In the bland, overly sugary pop kitchen, Clutch is a tasty treat just waiting to be devoured by discriminating, hungry listeners.
 (C) 1999 Iowa State Daily via U-WIRE
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