Now they’ve delivered what is arguably the finest album of their lengthy career in Clear Impetuous Morning and the signs are there for all to see that the effort is playing mostly to the choir, falling on those deaf ears who’d rather set down fifteen bucks for another Nirvana or Pearl Jam clone than actually grab something that would really get their adrenaline flowing. Even those nouveau country rockers over in the alt.country scene, while recognizing the Scorchers’ place in their holy pantheon, don’t seem to be falling over themselves to pick up a new Scorchers disc or two...
Jason & the Scorchers’ Clear Impetuous Morning
Clear Impetuous Morning finds the Scorchers mining the same country-flavored, roots-rock vein that they pioneered almost fifteen years ago. In this aspect, the band has never sounded better. Warner Hodges is an exemplary guitarist, a legend-in-waiting on the level of Keith Richards who plays with great skill and flash. Hodges tears off chainsaw riffs like some kid playing air guitar in his bedroom, breathing life into each song. Jason’s energetic vocal delivery is part Hank Williams, part Johnny Rotten, crooning sweet country twang on cuts like “I’m Sticking With You,” kicking out the jams with reckless, joyful abandon on rockers like “Victory Road.” The rhythm section of bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer Perry Baggs provide a steady beat and a strong backbone for the Scorchers performances, playing conservative foils to Jason and Warner’s rock ‘n’ roll crazed wild men.
Lyrically, Clear Impetuous Morning distinguishes itself through its maturity and wisdom. This foursome clearly aren’t the idealistic youngsters that they were in 1982, and every scar that they’ve received through the years can be found in these songs. Jason Ringenberg, always the Scorchers main songwriter, collaborates here with some new partners. Most notable of these is Nashvillian Tommy Womack, formerly of Mid-South legends Government Cheese. Together they put together some of the album’s hottest songs, like the new Scorchers’ show-stopper, “Self-Sabotage” or “Cappuccino Rosie.” A duet between Jason and Emmylou Harris on “Everything Has A Cost” proves to be a natural pairing, the two creating a haunting musical moment that is underlined by some strong six-string work from Hodges.
The Reverend’s Bottom Line
Sadly, the Scorchers seem doomed to be one of those bands who never receive a break, who never find themselves in the “right place at the right time.” If the masses refuse to pick up on an album as solid as Clear Impetuous Morning, what’s left for the band to try? As one of a handful who can truthfully say that I’ve been a fan of the band since the beginning, I marvel at the Scorchers ability to keep going in the face of adversity. They’ve suffered breaking up, getting back together again, three record labels, industry indifference, constant touring and mediocre sales for over a decade and a half. Yet they keep on rocking, cranking out some of the greatest music in the history of the genre, delivering night after night with great live performances. Like Rodney, they get nowhere near the respect they rightfully deserve. (Mammoth Records, released 1996)
Review originally published by R Squared zine
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