Monster Magnet is definitely a borderline case of what RevelationZ Magazine usually reviews. I got the thankless task to review the up-coming album "Monolithic Baby!", which actually wasn't such a bad assignment after all (but don't tell the almighty editor).

"Monolithic Baby!" is a mixture of 70's music and garage rock with an underlying Black Sabbath & Soundgarden emotion. Overall most songs have reconciling melody, which makes this release interesting for melodic Hard Rockers like myself also.

I think the space rock elements have been toned down in favor of more melody. However, "Monolithic Baby!" still includes a few space rockers and psychedelic tracks. The Right Stuff is a cover version of Captain Lockheed and The Starfighters and its really monotone with a weak chorus. This ramification of Monster Magnet's music is also represented by tracks like Ultimate Everything, Too Bad and CNN War Theme, which do not appeal to my taste at all.

Luckily the good outweighs the bad, since "Monolithic Baby!" has some really cool Rock 'n' Roll tracks. Dirty distorted guitars dominate Supercruel, which along with the first single Unbroken (Hotel Baby), represent straightforward Rock 'n' Roll songs with extremely melodic choruses. Two guitars in a driving, bombastic 70's sound characterize Monolithic, which is an outstanding track.

Monster Magnet have also created underlying emotions to their songs, namely On The Verge, which give associations of The Doors, while Master Of Light has a modern rock feel with moody guitars. Another track with lots of atmosphere is There's No Way Out Of Here composed by Pink Floyd guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour and released on his first solo album in 1978. The song opens with an acoustic guitar, which sets the mood along with some tasty Bluesy lead riffs.

All in all a positive listen with:
Highlights: Supercruel, On the Verge, Unbroken (Hotel Baby) and Monolithic.
Down points: Monster Magnets flair for psychedelic and monotone songs

A good album that will please Monster Magnet's fan base and "Monolithic Baby!" also appeals to the melodic ear.

Written by Michael
Friday, February 6, 2004
Show all reviews by Michael

Ratings

Michael: 6.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

---

This article has been shown 2940 times. Go to the complete list.

Login to RevelationZ member section to comment

Comment by Pete (Anonymous) - Saturday, June 19, 2004

I waited a long time for this and was dissappointed. Without Jon Klieman and Joe Calandra, the groove reminiscent of Superjudge, Dopes To Infinity and the best tracks on the next two albums is totally lost. It becomes a Dave Wyndorf ego-fest, with big, gaping holes in the sound where we should be hearing: Cool fills and tempo changes from Klieman Bubbling, boucning bass riffs from Calandra Cool melodic harmonies combined with searing lead assaults from Mundell Sludgy, rythym guitar with cool hooks and weird bends beneath a layer of cool trippy lyrics from Wyndorf Some of the lyrics are great, but the music just isn't there. It's too simple, and I know the band was capable of much more in the past. The worst is I can almost hear what it would've sounded like in 1994/95. Play King of Mars 2004 back to back with the original, and you'll see what I mean. I don't mind the stripped down approach (vis no 24 guitar tracks with constant effects), but I do mind the distinct lack of harmony between instruments that existed before. I know with the crap people listen to today it could win an award, but I'll just listen to the masters like Sabbath, Zeppelin and Floyd, bands who made tunes that always moved you, and you never got sick of. Don't get me wrong, they're still one of my favorites and I introduced a lot of people to them in the Superjudge / Dopes days only to hear "This is awesome! Who are these guys?". But I think I'll send this load of crap to them and ask for my money back. The new guys can probably play thrash or Motorhead covers real well, but I wanted a Monster Magnet album.