In my first impression of this song, I hear some impressive guitar lines as they scatter through this pensive track. There’s also enough emotional heft here to power a few crowded neighborhoods.
In the refrain, the band reminds the listeners of the title fighter. Fans of “Rocky III” should remember the formidable and raw talent of Clubber Lang. Mr T’s role came with the series switching gears after the strength of two initial entries. Much like that boxing franchise, this group finds themselves pondering their age and place in the world.
“Clubber Lang” also brings to mind a long list of guitar-oriented groups. You’ll hear more than a couple of inspirations throughout this track, with several alternative heroes coming to mind. There’s no debating this track’s ability to jam-pack notes into this epic. Sometimes they seem to spill into each other, creating a cacophony that helps to sell the reflective lyrics. What I’m trying to say is, this feels like the sort of music that fittingly scores a mid-life crisis. Whether these guys intended this commentary or not, they certainly succeed in delivering a musical gut punch. The vocalist also spews out the words in a therapeutic fashion, giving listeners strong images to ponder at the end of the world.
There’s a lot to explore in these five and a half minutes that can’t be adequately described in one review. While I’m still anticipating my own midlife crisis, I can imagine that there’s plenty of truth here that I might revisit in a literal or metaphorical way. There’s a blunt honesty that pours out and sticks to your bones. In the aftershock, I can imagine more than a handful of listeners feeling the same way. If you’re dreading the general uncertainty of your own life or grappling with the state of the universe, you can find some solace in this song.
Written by Andy Hammersmith
