Nearly 30 years into their careers,
Clutch
sound like they're just settling into their prime on their 12th set,
Book of Bad Decisions
. Balancing the full-throttled rush of 2013's
Earth Rocker
and 2015's epic
Psychic Warfare
,
delivers a fiery, chest-thumping experience packed with Southern-fried rock strut. Producer
Vance Powell
(
Jack White
Chris Stapleton
) introduces some new tricks to the
attack, introducing a honky tonk barroom piano that propels the rollicking "Vision Quest" and a brass section that buffers "In Walks Barbarella," a wildly charismatic entry that dials the funk past 11. This is classic
and yet it feels refreshed and alive. Titled after the various chapters from the band's past -- like disastrous early gigs ("Gimme the Keys") or the first time frontman
Neil Fallon
heard
Black Sabbath
("A Good Fire") --
honors their legacy without getting bogged down in the stoner-sludge of their early days. Even the cowbell retread of "Weird Times" and the bloated midsection serve a purpose, providing reliable new jams for the longtime fans skeptical about horns and piano tinkling on a
record. Elsewhere, potential live staples and fan favorites abound. "Spirit of '76" doubles down on the
Sabbath
and
Zeppelin
influences. "Paper & Strife" chugs along the rhythm and groove provided by
Tim Sult
Dan Maines
, and
Jean-Paul Gaster
, who sound so tight they make this seem effortless.
haven't sounded this unburdened or spirited in years -- the politically satirical "How to Shake Hands" and literal crab cake recipe "Hot Bottom Feeder" are both hilarious and deviously catchy -- ensuring that these road dogs have plenty of energy left in them.
is an excellent late-era entry into the band's vast catalog, a natural product of their enduring chemistry and dedication to their legion of fans. ~ Neil Z. Yeung