Live at the Googolplex

Although they may look more like a group of scientists or librarians than a rock band, don't be fooled by their appearance -- Clutch are easily one of metal's top live acts. While the majority of modern-day metal bands stick close to the studio versions on-stage, Clutch is an exception, as they've been known to follow in the same "jamming" path as pre-punk '70s-era rockers. However, Clutch's 2003 concert set, Live at the Googolplex, does not include a smorgasbord of jamming, like some fans who have caught the band live would expect. The group's guitarist, Tim Sult, has long been one of metal's most underrated guitarists (especially in the riff department) and in a way, Googolplex serves as a showcase for Sult's talents, especially on such tracks as "Sea of Destruction" and "Rats." And there are a few moments when Clutch manage to sneak some jams into the set (but again, not as many or as long as one would expect) -- "Careful with That Mic...," "Escape from the Prison Planet," etc. Containing most of Clutch's strongest tracks, Live at the Googolplex is an adequate sampler for newcomers until the group issues a true "best-of" collection.