The Inspector Cluzo – Less Is More – Album Review – duffpress

Review By Darren McIntyre

The Inspector Cluzo are Gascon farmers turned rock n roll stars Malcom (Laurent Lacrouts) & Phil (Mathieu Jourdain) from Mont – De – Marsan who formed in 2008. The boys are firstly & foremost farmers who have a self sufficient way about how they run their farm and have turned that into a pair of rockers who take what they do to the next level, they deliver colossal grooves with powering drums that really set them apart from anyone else out there at the minute. Let me tell you this, take two guys give them a guitar, drums a couple of mics and watch them tear the roof off of any venue in the land. The boys have been tearing up stages all over the world with support & headline slots that have seen these two farmers turned rockers gather many many new fans from far and wide. I last saw my two buddies in December 2023 when they tore King Tut’s a new one, the boys are back with a stunning new album Less Is More slated for releade 6th June, please join me as I run the rule over this incredible new offering.

We Win Together I’m Losing Alone – Kicking the doors in from the off we get a real gutsy groove that immediately blows the roof off as the boys pick up where they left off with a real sludgy, groove filled opener. The rhythm section is bringing the heat as it takes us one way then the next as Malcom brings his gravelly melodic vocals to really sock it to us with this rousing beast of an arrangement that just grabs our attention from the off, the boys are just on the money with this foot stomping bruiser that just gives us a real funk laden groove that is what we have come to expect from theses two farmers turned rock stars. The tempo changes pace as acoustic strumming grooves let Malcom drop down a gear or two to really give this track a coolness that is just magical, these two boys really are something special.

As Stupid As You Can – Cymbal taps let the groove cut loose as a sweet mellow guitar lick oozes from the intro as Malcom turns up the heat and really gives it to us as a cool snare drum punch lets the groove come at us. The gritty guitar riffs are soaring as the boys continue their sonic assault upon us with this real funk laden tone that just makes you smile as the raunchy groove builds and builds as Phil lets himself bring a thundering beat as the rhythm section kicks in the doors and really lets us know they are here. The soaring gravelly vocals are just wrapping themselves around this crunching beat as the tempo changes pace and just takes us on the journey with the boys as they just reach new levels of musicality with this stunning new offering that just allows us to be part of their journey.

Catfarm – A real sludgy, guitar riff lets this cool offering cut loose as the smooth cymbal snaps combine with a punchy bassline as this doom style number makes itself known to us, the cool vocals mix well with this toe tapping groover that is coming for us with a real awesome tone as the boys combine well together and really let the track breathe. The gritty rasping guitar riffs are just insane as the Mathieu let’s the rhythm section drive the groove onwards and Laurent strums heavily on his guitar and brings his gravelly vocals that just wrap themseves around this fist pumping beast as we just lose ourselves in this colossal arrangement. The tempo changes pace a little as Laurent strums effortlessly on his guitar as this rocker comes to a stop.

Rules – This track has a dark intro as Laurent’s vocals set the tone as suddenly the arrangement bursts into life and really gets our feet moving to this racious groover that is kicking in the doors and really letting us feel the full force of this dynamic duo. The cool cymbal snaps are letting the groove come at us as the snare drum beats give this track some depth, swagger and body, it is a short number but a punchy one into the bargain.

Thoreau – A nice, dark guitar lick oozes from the getgo as Laurent lets his soaring, gravelly vocals lead the way as this fantastic number is unleached for all to hear. The rhythm section is commanding the room as it hits us with pounding snare drum punches as the bass kicks let the tone run free as we just stand back and feel the energy oozing from this awesome track, the musicality is off the chart as this duo bend and break all the rules as they do their business on their terms. The cool guitar licks are flowing effortlessly through this fist pumping number as the boys deliver another epic composition that just makes the hairs on my arms stand.

The Greenwashers – A pounding rhythm section gets this rocking beast off the ground as Mathieu delivers a real heart pounding intro that allows Laurent to let his gritty, rasping vocals bring this whole arrangement together. The tempo is just awesome as the boys take us on a sonic journey that really sucks us in and lets us know that the boys are back and firing on all cylinders, the punchy tempo has us stamping our feet and punching the air as this delicious slab of rock n roll punches us straight in the face as we feel the full force of these to Gascon farmers deliver a perfect record that just tells us we are in for a real treat when they grace the stage later this year.

Less Is More – A sweet, smooth guitar pick opens the track as the thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors and really lets us have it both barrels as Laurent leans in with his trademark gravelly vocals that let this track break free. The crunching guitar riffs are wrapping themselves around this epic beat as the boys just come together and really show us how it’s done for sure, the tempo is fast, rocking, has swagger and really showcases what these two boys are all about, the tempo changes pace for a second as we get a nice little vocal harmony before it blasts off again and really grabs our attention. This is a real cool opening single from the boys as the just wet our appetites for this new release.

Mr Fameless – This is a real groove related number as from the off we get a shuddering rhythm section that let’s the guitar riffs wrap themselves around this real bruising number. The vocals are just awesome as they deliver a gritty, gravelly groove that has us bopping up and down as the boys turn the volume up to 11 let me tell you, this has a real punk, sludgy feel as the boys just drop the hammer and give it to us big time, the tracks are short, sharp, have meaning and really get you rocking out for sure.

Workers – The track kicks off with a nice, cool guitarpick before the doors are completely blown off as this foot tapping beast really opens up and lets Laurent bring his awesome vocals to the party. The rhythm section is just kicking ass as Mathieu controls the groove as this number continues to build as the two lads really give us a rousing number that ticks all the boxes, the musicality is just incredible as you would not think that two boys can make this much racket with their talents. The track slows to a nice pace as the sweet guitar picks really let the track shine as the boys lend their backing vocals to this monster track as we feel the grit, determination pouring from these two boys as they give us all they have.

Almost Cut My Hair – The track kicks off with a real dark, deep guitar riff that is sure to erupt into a classy rocking number any minute as we await the tempo to change pace any second. Cymbal taps let the rhythm section come at us as the soaring snare drum punches control the beat as the track just builds and builds as we get a real crunching beast of a track that is just on the money as we just lose ourselves in the depth, swagger and sheer determination of this incredible duo as they deliver a real knockout album that just pick up from where they left off with Horizon. This is a real gritty, punchy number that just allows the boys to really express themselves and deliver another bruising slab of rock n roll that will sound insane live.

Journey Men – Acoustic strumming grooves come through as tambourine tones linger through the intro as we finish on a strong note with the boys showcasing their diversity on this new record. Laurent brings his dark, moody vocals to the track that just gives the track depth as we await the change in tempo and I am sure it will come but I will say that this is a real nice way to finish off the blistering new offering I have just reviewed for you . This track shows the more complex side of the boys as they deliver a moody, thoughtful arrangement that just grabs your attention as we feel every note, chord, snare drum punch as the boys finish off in style let me tell you.

The Inspector Cluzo –

Malcom – Laurent Lacrouts – Guitar / Vocals

Phil – Mathieu Jourdain – Drums / Backing Vocals

Track Listing –

We Win Together I’m Losing Alone

As Stupid As You Can

Catfarm

Rules

Thoreau

The Greenwashers

Less Is More

Mr Fameless