CLUTCH Drummer On Upcoming Album: 'The Songs Are A Bit More Diverse On This One'

Maryland rockers CLUTCH recently completed recording their eleventh album with producer Machine for a fall release via their Weathermaker Music label. The basic tracks and most of the guitars for the CD were laid down at Machine's studio in Dripping Springs, Texas, while the remainder was recorded at CLUTCH's studio in Maryland.

Speaking to the Phoenix New Times, CLUTCH drummer Jean-Paul Gaster stated about the band's new album: "The songs are a bit more diverse on this one, I think. We covered some funk and bluesy things that we didn't get to as much on [2013's] 'Earth Rocker'."

He continued: "I think the performances were very inspired and well rehearsed. We rehearsed the songs more on this record than any recordings in the past. The tunes have a very passionate feel to them, I think."

CLUTCH vocalist Neil Fallon recently told Pollstar.com about the band's forthcoming effort: "There's nothing out of the ordinary of the CLUTCH canon [on the new CD]."

He continued: "I think these songs were written so soon after 'Earth Rocker' that they have a lot in common. It's a faster record. It think it shares a bit of the sense of humor, lyrically, with 'Earth Rocker'. There are a lot of hooks on this record."

Fallon added: "It's hard for me to comment, because I'm still in the middle of it, still listening to mixes and stuff. I think it's another offering of our sincerest rock emotion."

Asked if the creation process has become easier or harder over the years, Fallon said: "It's become, maybe, more difficult… speaking for myself, to satisfy the urge to do something new, while, at the same time not deny one's strengths that got you there in the first place."

He continued: "It's very easy for us to write together because we know each other so well. The danger in that is that ease can also breed complacency.

"I think we're always trying to learn to try something new, even if it's a minor thing. Lyrically … there's feast or famine. "

Fallon added: "I think it's like any other art: there are times that seem very prolific, and then there are times when you think, 'I gotta hang this up.'"

CLUTCH released "Summer Sound Attack" — a 10-song compilation of their most popular songs for streaming and download on iTunes — via Weathermaker Music. The collection includes "Electric Worry", "The Regulator", "50,000 Unstoppable Watts", "Earth Rocker" and many more key tracks from the seminal group.