Clutch - Strange Cousins From the West

This is a little behind, but I like to get a real good feel for certain albums before I review them. Remember, I review not critique. For starters if you are not a fan of Clutch (you should be), just kidding, it's not for everybody, but I'm a country guy and I love their groove, so check it out on youtube or something. Anyway. This is the follow up to Beale Street to Oblivion. And the band said it would be a more stripped down, straight forward rock without so much jamming. This is true, but the first thing I noticed there doesn't seem to be the presence of the organ on this album. I really liked that sound in the past.

That being said... This is still one of their best albums. I think it is a strong dose of Clutchness that any fan would love to own. I also feel the need to say this about the packaging... The way they packaged this CD is the reason I buy CDs and not download all my music. It is another element of the project, that you just can't get from the net. Also, I did a pre-order from newburrycomics.com and got an extra insert that was autographed by the band. You really can't beat that.

Now to the music, the bread and butter of it all. Sequencing is a big thing to me. I like to see how they order the tracks and the flow of this album is very good. Starting off with "Motherless Child", "Struck Down", "50,000 Unstoppable Watts", and "Abraham Lincoln". I would go on, and almost feel I should mention every track, because they are all that good. However, I will leave you with that for now. 11 tracks total, and a bonus download online that holds up to the rest of them wonderfully.

Now for the best news... I am going to see CLUTCH in KC on Oct 1st!!!! I can't wait to see these songs live. I haven't seen them since before Beale Street came out. So I'm pretty excited. Go drop $15 on this CD... *Mackey's promise, you won't be disappointed. I give it 4/5 Stars.

*Mackey's promise in no way stands up to a warranty or guarantee of any kind, and Mackey's Music Review is not accountable to any disappointed consumer who takes the advice of Mackey. Furthermore $15 is only an assumption of Mackey on the price of the CD and is not the MSRP. LOL!!! I hope you all enjoy that nonsense.

Album Review: AC/DC - Black Ice

OK, so it's been a while since I did a review so I hope people are still reading this blog. Got this CD for Christmas. I had heard all the hype, "It is vintage AC/DC", "It sounds just like the old stuff". Well, while digital technology and the evolving mindset of an artist, makes 30 years of music sound very different, I was pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of it. Straight forward rhythm driven rock with simple lyrics. Much like the old stuff. I know some fans like the old stuff and refuse to even listen to new stuff because they are stuck in the past. Or they are so afraid of getting old, if they never hear new stuff it's like it never happened. Bad news for you, Black Ice just happened. And you're getting old! Who cares, old means something. It means you made it. You survived a lot of crap that was thrown at you and you now have some scars as reminders, but you lived it. Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd understand that. They just want you to come to the party and enjoy it.

So 15 songs. I'd say 7 really good ones, 5 decent ones and a couple I'll probably skip over. I think you'll agree, but if you can't spare the price of 2 movie tickets to own 13 good rock songs, then you weren't a fan to begin with. Just speaking in the attitude of rock. Oh yeah I almost forgot 4/5 stars.

Thanks.

Re-Review: Bruce Springsteen - Magic

Well, if you have read my reviews you know, I really came down hard on The Boss' new album "Magic". Well, since I am finally going to get to see him live in Aug. I decided to dig out the new stuff and get real familiure with it. I want to be able to follow all the songs he does. So after listening to this album again about 3 times, I have to re-rate it.

If you listen to rock radio, you have probably already heard "Radio Nowhere". Like that song, many of the others had to grow on me first. That is unusual for a Springsteen album. However, it is refreshing that he isn't afraid to try something new. He doesn't just release the same music with different names and places referenced. The good thing is this is still an E. Street Band record as well. I am just as much a fan of the band as I am of Bruce. Anyway, so if you like the Born in the USA album and if you liked new stuff like The Rising, you should go get Magic. However don't judge it on just 1 spin. Remember, let it grow on you. I now give this album 3.5/5 Stars.