REVIEW: The INSPECTOR CLUZO- LESS IS MORE

Words by Anselm Anderson

French duo The Inspector Cluzo has released their tenth album, Less Is More. The album was self-released and financed through their record label, The Bass Player Records.

The record consists of ten tracks of complex blues movements intertwined with jazz undertones and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The duo of guitarist and vocalist Laurent and drummer Mathieu formed in 2008 on a farm in Gascon, France. The duo decided to finance and produce their records through revenue generated from selling organic food on the farm.

Less Is More marks the pair's tenth release. In this album, they address issues such as environmental problems associated with organic farming and the economics of the music business. The lyrics and concept are inspired by the 19th-century American philosopher Henry David Thoreau and the 20th-century French philosopher Guy Debord. Producer Vance Powell captured the duo's raw energy and enthusiasm in just four days in Nashville, USA.

The album feels like one long jam session, evoking the sounds of bands such as the Mothers of Invention, Captain Beefheart, and Primus. The opening tracks, "We Win Together, I'm Losing Alone" and "As Stupid As You Can," feature mid-tempo blues melodies. The tempo picks up with "Catfarm," a song celebrating the joys of working with our feline friends, featuring reggae-infused rhythms and cool vocals reminiscent of 70s hard rock bands.

The duo works together with flawless chemistry and a retro vibe. The guitar playing is simple but features raucous riffs, while the rhythm exudes confidence and assurance.' Rules' is an anthemic hard rocker, while 'Thoreau' is a melancholic tribute to the American with thick, distorted riffs. The album features tasty blues licks and energetic solos that build in tempo and intensity, like on 'The Greenwashers' and'Less is More' feels like a psychedelic road trip with catchy choruses and blues rhythms similar to Clearwater Creedence Revival. The album continues in this vein with 'Mr Fameless', whilst the mood changes direction with more sullen and melodious tracks like 'Workers', 'Almost Cut My Hair' and 'Journeymen'

The Inspector Cluzo creates a compelling blend of blues with a retro sound. The tracks are easy to listen to and have a bit of fun. They have certainly earned their place with this self-produced collection of blues and retro rock.

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EUROPEAN TOUR
23/08 Legna (France) « Festival les Gueules de Bois »
09/10/25 Brussels (Belgium) « Rotonde/Botanique »
10/10 Amsterdam (Holland) « Melkweg Oz »
11/10 Koln (Germany) « Gebaude 9 »
15/10 Hamburg (Germany) « Knust »
16/10 Berlin (Germany) « Lido »
17/10 Munich (Germany) « Strom »
18/10 Milan (Italy) « Biko »
22/10 Bristol (UK) « The Louisiana »
23/10 Nothingham (UK) « Bodega »
24/10 Glasgow (UK) « King Tut’s »
25/10 Manchester (UK) « Deaf Institute »
29/10 Dublin (Ireland) « Wheelan’s »
30/10 Belfast (Northern Ireland) « Limelight 2 »
01/11 London (UK) « The Grace »
06/11 Bordeaux (France) « Salle du Grand Parc »
07/11 La Rochelle (France) « La Sirène »
08/11 Brest (France) « La Carène »
12/11 Mulhouse (France) « Le Noumatrouff »
13/11 Nancy (France) « L’Autre Canal »
14/11 Reims (France) « La Cartonnerie »
15/11 Lille (France) « Le Splendid »
20/11 Lyon (France) « La Rayonne »
21/11 Lausanne (Switzerland) « Les Docks »
22/11 Clermont-Ferrand (France) « La Coopérative de Mai »
27/11 Marseille (France) « Espace Julien »
28/11 Montpellier (France) « Le Rockstore »
29/11 Toulouse (France) « Bikini »
30/11 Biarritz (France) « L’Atabal »
04/12 Lorient (France) « L’hydrophone »
05/12 Caen (France) « Big Bang Café »
06/12 Alençon (France) « La Luciole »
10/12 Madrid (Spain) « Wurlitzer Room »
12/12 Porto (Portugal) « Mouco »
13/12 Lisbonna (Portugal) « Republica dal Musica »
28/01/26 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
29/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
30/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
31/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie
01/02 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »

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