Hooks So Big

Concert Review: Clutch @ Metro, Chicago 02-26-08

by Myche J

It's been a very active concert season as of late. This was the first concert of an upcoming "four shows in six days" run. I'll tell you what: I could use an all-ages, show will be over by 10pm and I have a seat if I want it type of experience interspersed in here somwhere. But I don't see that coming. Yes, I'm officially getting old. Anyway, enough of my petty complaining - on to the show...

This was the third time I've seen Clutch. While no new ground was broken last night, it was a very solid show. I'll admit, I am much more familiar with the tracks from the last two albums, and perhaps because of that I felt those were the stand-outs. When they broke into "You Can't Stop Progress" from the latest From Beale Street To Oblivion, I felt the show really got a boost. Songs from that album that followed were "Power Player", "The Devil & Me", "Electric Worry", "Child Of The City" and "One Eye Dollar" - all great. Their new album continues to grow on me, and was certainly one of my faves of 2007. I would have liked to hear a few more off of Robot Hive/Exodus, but they did play a great version of "Burning Beard" so I'll just stop complaining.

Neil Fallon's vocals were very strong throughout, and of course Jean-Paul was tight. I was standing on the left so I paid a little more attention to guitarist Tim Sult. For as much attention as the two formerly mentioned bandmates get, much kudos goes to Sult. He has a fairly unassuming stage presence, but man, those riffs! An absolute key to the whole Clutch package.

A special shout-out to the guy who was going nuts before the encore in order to make the plea for everyone to be "LOUDER!" so the band would come out again. He seemed very concerned that they might just forget about us if we didn't scream really loud, stomp our feet, and clap in unison. Thanks to the band for not letting him or us down...

Ok, time to rest up for the rest of this week's shows...