CLUTCH

An exceptionally strong album, entirely acoustic. Nice melodies, nice songs, some kind of a modern version of "Chameleon", though much more calm & features no screaming Peter ;-) Still, it is a beautiful album, very much in Hammill's style. Nothing could be done better.

This is easily of Peter Hammill's better recent records. It's all acoustic, with some help from Stuart Gordon (violin) and David Jackson on sax. Hammill has certainly not mellowed, which is a good thing, as he turns his venom on a number of topical issues here. The album starts on a typically philosophical note with "We Are Written", which seems to be about predestination, genetic or otherwise, but Hammill also delves into some uncomfortable territory on "Just a Child" (pedophilia) and "Skinny" (body image/anorexia). Hammill is never afraid to tell it like it is, and these songs burn with righteous anger, a very refreshing change from singer/songwriter platitudes and whinging. His vocals have rarely sounded this good, from a gentle croon to a vicious scream, and he has made judicious use of multi-tracking to create some great background vocal textures. His guitar playing on this album, usually his Achilles heel (or the closest he comes to having one), is authoritative. Hammill's continuing lyrical genius is a great inspiration to those looking for uncompromising truth and beauty in music. This is one of his best.

This one of Hammill's better albums of the post Virgin era (after And Close As This). It is essentially acoustic with the guitar as the main instrument, which gives this album a more natural feel that reminds us of the good old Hammill we all love so much (Chameleon,...). Once again he is performing all the instruments, with guests Stuart Gordon and David Jackson. Although the main problem after the Virgin era is that he has mellowed a lot, this album features some "mellow" songs and some more into the classic vein, (i.e. with a bit of agressiveness, edge and slight insanity ) Highlights from the "classic vein" songs are "Crossed Wires", "This is the Fall" and "We are written".

The three of them are back again (Peter, Dave and Stuart) for this acoustic and tranquil album which features some very good songs (with great lyrics of course).

Like the metaphysical opening number "We Are Written". It is all written when we are born. If ever it would be true?

Even if it is a down-sized version of the Graaf who is playing here, the symptoms exist. They just point out during "Crossed Wires" but are much more evident during the very good "Driven". It is a song full of poetry and passion. These dark and intimate moments are extremely pleasant. They so much confirm that Peter is out of the ordinary. But who ever doubt about this?

"Once You Called Me" is a beautiful song with vibrant lyrics about the relationship between a daughter and her father. It is so true that I can't avoid mentioning the first part of this emotional song: "I wish that I remembered better. You've grown so fast before my very eyes. The woman that you're now becoming suddenly takes me by surprise. I thought that there'd be time and tide a-plenty to grow into a proper fatherhood but underneath our feet the sands were shifting. You spread your wings, soon you'll be gone from me for good. And when I tucked you in at night and swore I'd always love you madly I'd wonder would this be the last time that you'd ever call me Daddy?

Whether your child was a boy or a girl, I guess that each of us has been through such feelings when our child (ren) grow (s) up. Since my son is now eighteen, I am totally in.

Clutch holds some dark and pessimistic tracks like "The Ice Hotel" which could have been used as part of the soundtrack for "The Day After". Brrrrrrrr.bloody cold in here.

I particularly liked the lyrics (but not the music) of "This Is The Fall". Some sort of trial against religion and mostly about the excesses caused in her name. I fully endorse these thoughts, but the song is difficult to digest (but we are use to such a thing, right)?

"How in God's name did religion fall so far away from God? This is the Fall from God".

"Just A Child" has very strong lyrics; this time about paedophilia. Again the text is much more powerful than the music. It could have been a poem.

I wouldn't say that this album should be your entry one into Peter's repertoire. It is meant for solid Hammill addicts. "Clutch" is a fine album which is mostly concentrated in the strong lyrics and the passionate vocals.

Three stars.

From what hidden corner of Hammill's dark mind did this brilliant album suddenly come from? 'What Now?' was a good album but apart from that one we had to endure almost 20 years of mediocre and substandard releases. And here, suddenly: inspiration, drive and confidence.

Not only is it a return to the form and substance of the early 70's (especially Chameleon in the Shadow comes to mind) but it's also improved with an excellent production and a maturity that was lacking from the first albums. There are no excessive self-indulgent vocal or instrumental show-offs here, just 9 uncompromising stabs of anger, pain and love. All songs are built around Hammill's inspired acoustic guitar playing and his gloomy and threatening vocals. The party is spiced up with Gordon's and Jackson's subtle touches of violin and sax. One of his most convincing albums ever.