Review by O.M.O.M. 

Praise the good lord Jesus; I’ve seen the light.  Satan has tempted and tested me for many a year, now it’s time to repent.  Clutch has led me to the promised land of southern gospel head banging boogie and I’m ready to cleanse my sins in a lake of molasses and Miller High Life.  Robot Hive/Exodus is a damn near perfect meeting of metal, blues, boogie and funk.  Think the Allman Brothers picking up Galactic and sharing a needle with C.O.C. and you’ll arrive somewhere in the same bayou. 

You want big guitars? Check.  How about some funky organ work?  Check.  Classic Clutch lyrics that leave you thinking “Can I have what he’s having?”  You betcha.  “The Incomparable Mr. Flannery” starts things off sounding like it could be right at home on a classic Blackfoot album.  A lovely little boogie riff with lyrics that name check Dokken, Boston and Chevy Camaros.  “Every time I look out my window, same three dogs lookin’ back at me,” intones Neil Fallon on “Burning Beard.”  This tune has so many great lines it’s hard to pick just one favorite, one of many guitar-heavy howlers that fill Robot Hive/Exodus. 

Smile happily at your neighbor just before you walk in your house and crank up chuggers like, “Mice And Gods” and “10001110101,” they’ll think the devil himself has moved in.  Then, just before they call the landlord, make ‘em see the light by switching gears and playing some of the funkier cuts on the disc.  This is where things go from interesting to downright cucumber-cool.  

Peppering songs generously with some serious organ gives Robot Hive/Exodus legs for the long haul.  “Gullah” eases you into the vibe and leads you to the almost gospel-like funk of tunes like “Pulaski Skyway” and “Never Be Moved.”  Tunes like “Small Upsetters” and “Land Of Pleasant Living” sweat grit and funk; you can feel the humidity rise from these suckers.  The disc wraps up with the bluesy-to-funky “Gravel Road” and a surprising cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking?” 

The combination of Clutch heaviness and the newer, funkier grooves will have long time Clutch fans raising their hands in praise and with any luck, convert the masses and cleanse their souls of corporate schlock rock.  Time to testify people; get out the boom box, fill the beer cooler, fire up the grill and invite the neighbors over, Clutch has went and made the BBQ disc of the summer. 

Rating: 90 out of 100