Clutch Album: “Jam Room”

This is Clutch's most experimental record top date, and it truly is awesome. It may not be a "refined" as their other releases, but it has a unique feel that the others definitely do not have. In my opinion, though, Clutch is one of the few bands where each release is significantly different from the ones before. It is a short CD at c. 35 minutes, but still worth it by far.

Clutch seems to be one of those bands that have this attitude towards their record labels that's saying "Look, we are going to do whatever the hell we want at all times. You can climb aboard if you feel the need but one way or the other, things are gonna get done.". Unlike a lot of bands that say that publicly but in the end tow the line to keep the suits happy, Clutch plays what the want and do it very well. It seems almost strange to me that "Jam Room almost has better production than their major label releases. Anyway, "Jam Room" is pretty much a straight forward title that lets you know what; this CD is about in no uncertain terms. It's almost like one long song broken up into parts.

For thos uninititated, Clutch plays a weird mesh of 70s rock and hardcore that brings to mind influences from all over the musical spectrum. They have fit on stages comfortably with nearly every band they've played with. Neal Fallon has a unique knack for writing lyrics that upon first glance make no sense but once you hear them, you believe that somehow, Neal Fallon knows exactly what he's talking about. It is this blend of 30+ years of rock music coupled with Neal Fallon humorous and strangely insightful lyrics that makes Clutch one of the most unappreciated and inspiring bands to grace a stage since rock's inception. Next time you see a Clutch CD in your record shopping excursion, make a purchase that is worth your while and buy a Clutch CD or 7.

Clutch's fourth full length studio release `Jam Room,' was released in 1999 and saw the band in a much looser and more experimental mood than on their previous works. If you can, try and get the re-released edition with three extra tracks.

Some of the material on this album was later reworked on subsequent albums, including `I Send Pictures,' `One Eye Dollar,' and `Sinkemlow,' which were reworked as `Sleestack Lightning,' `One Eye $,' and `Sink `Em Low,' respectively.

While the album is largely jammed out and less polished/produced than any other Clutch release it is far from a throwaway release, most if not all of the music within is played frequently live and featured on some of the band's live albums.

Stand out tracks include `Big Fat Pig,' and `Raised By Horses,' both of which are incredibly fun and catchy, as well as the slower and more brooding `Basket Of Eggs.'

Of course, Jam Room isn't a perfect album, or as good as some of the best Clutch albums; there is some material on here that isn't the best, such as the brief interludes `Bertha's Big Back Yard,' and `Super Duper,' and even with the best material on here, Jam Room doesn't fully compete with the best material of their career.

Overall; Jam Room is not the go-to album for Clutch beginners, and if you are new to the band you should really look elsewhere for a first album. If you are an existing fan however, while you won't find yourself listening to it as much as their other albums, there is more than enough good material on Jam Room to warrant a purchase or curiosity listen.

Clutch's Jam Room is in the same style as The Elephant Riders, more jam oriented. I would recommend this CD to any Clutch fan, but it is not really an import.

I was just flipping through the rest of the reviews, and saw a couple negative I just wanted to throw my thoughts on. The two negatives I saw did make some valid points, one being thatthis album doesn't quite have the bowl quaking bass and drums that ya have to set the bass equalizer to -34, and doesn't quite have, some of the in your face this is Clutch like it or go away feel that previous albums have had. That being said, I get more of a refined kind of vibe I guess. Still powerful, still awesome, still the Clutch sound...refined, yet in no way commercial or sell out to the one and still only Clutch sound....