Customer Reviews

Monolithic Baby (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Monolithic Baby!" seems to come at about the right time. Hard-rock is back in a big way, and although Monster Magnet don't fit in with the new wave of heavy metal, their larger than life sound is just as welcome in a music world that is shifting, and thankfully, steering in a more heavy direction. After their last, somewhat disappointing album, 2001's "God Says No," and a falling out with their former label, Monster Magnet make their triumphant return on the German indie label SPV with "Monolithic Baby!," an album that reminds us all of why we listened to MM in the first place, and most importantly isn't afraid to rock us in all the right places. Tracks such as "Sl#t Machine" and "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" work in the same tradition of previous hits like "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" and "Spacelord" with gigantic choruses, memorable hooks and hard-hitting musicianship. Elsewhere, the band experiments with their tried and true sound; "Master Of Light" dabbles in a bit of electronica, while the brilliant cover of David Gilmour's "There's No Way Out Of Here" serves as the highlight of this affair, bringing out some classic rock influences and, even though it's a cover, perfectly displays frontman David Wyndorf's sense of melody and mood. Every song seems to flow into one another and the album doesn't hit any weak spots. Definitely one of the best surprises of 2004, this album may not be the Billboard mainstay of the year, but it brings Monster Magnet back to the fold with some new tricks up their sleeve and a newfound passion for making music. The limited edition contains two bonus tracks: a sequel to the "Dopes To Inifinity" track, "King Of Mars 2004," and the Lou Reed cover "Venus In Furs." The DVD portion contains two videos, one for "The Right Stuff," and another, much sexed up, for "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)." A brief live performance and a worthy interview with the band are also featured. Definitely worth picking up for any fan of rock music.

As with all my other reviews, I try to keep them short and sweet. Another great cd by Monster MAgnet. I own Dopes and Powertrip, and I like this one just as much as the others. It's not a stoner cd like some of thier earlier ones. It's more of just a strait up rock 'n' roll album that just completly kicks but. I recomend this cd to anyone who likes MM or good rock in general

Listening to a Monster Magnet album, to me, is like spending an hour with a happily unemployed uncle who always wants to give you bad advice. This album is indeed no exception, and a lot of fun because of it.

Throughout almost the entire album, the band's stoner roots seem placed on the back burner, which may take some fans by surprise. Songs such as Supercruel and Unbroken roll out full sleaze ahead in perfect Hard Rock form. On the Verge and CNN War Theme take an unusually grounded and somber approach to the world around us. Still, their gloom-metal past comes out to play in several songs - most notably their cover of The Right Stuff. Only a couple of songs fail to have a great amount of replay value, and it's a shame I can't thus give this cd 4.5 stars instead of only 4.

The bonus DVD material is above standard. Two music videos, an interview which clocked in at around 20 minutes, and two additional live videos make for a more entertaining experience than most bonus dvd pack-ins. This material is worth the couple of extra dollars.

As with their last two albums, Monolithic Baby oozes with a can-do and often will-do attitude which is sorely lacking from most modern rock and metal. The glory days of metal mix with an amazing contemporary feel for a winning combination for Monster Magnet, and for anyone who purchases this album. Highly recommended.

Guitar riffs swoop across the sky like hungry pterodactyls as storm clouds rumble..........ahhh the kings are BACK.
With all the drama which has been surrounding them over the last couple of years, the signs weren't good for any new material from the band. So in typical Monster Magnet style, they deliver the best album of their career! A big call I know, they have had some awesome releases in the past, but this in my opinion is the most consistent thing they have done.
As the opening riff of Slut Machine pokes you in the eye, you realise just how much Monster Magnet deserve to be at the top of the heap. Any other rock giants you can think of still this good at just being themselves? Without rehashing the same tricks/songs?
Worth picking up the bonus DVD for the hilarious clip to Unbroken(Hotel Baby), as well as a couple of live clips and an insightful interview with Dave, Phil Caviano and Ed Mundell.
Also check the awesome songs downloadable from MonsterMagnet.net. There over 70 minutes over so called B-sides which are a real treasure trove. How some (all?) of these songs are not on official releases, I'll never know.
So if you've ever liked anything the band has done in the past, or if you want to check out the best space punk rock and roll band in this or any other world, you know what to do.

...Out of the smoke thunders Monster Magnet, the wall of sound from New Jersey...Just when you wondered what would come of Magnet, in light of their recent label troubles, they release Monolithic Baby- arguably their strongest album in a decade. The addition of Jim Baglino on bass seems to have recharged- no, supercharged the band. This is one album that you will find yourself listening to from beginning to end. There is not a single weak track to be found.
Monolithic Baby harkens back to their earlier albums Superjudge and Dopes to Infinity, but with a more focused sound. The riffs are as strong as ever, and mark a return the more acid-rock sound that Magnet seemed to have abandoned on "God Says No". The songs on Monolithic Baby are tight. The band succeeds in being heavy, psychadelic, and melodic-all at the same time. There are even some cool harmonies on their cover of "There's No Way Out of Here" by David Gilmore of Pink Floyd.
Every song on Monolithic Baby is solid, so rather than comment on each track individually let me just say this:
Do yourself a favor and buy this album!

This album is brilliant - every track is amazing and there is not one that you'd consider skipping. I've been a huge fan of this band since I heard "Superjudge" way back in 1993 aged 16 or so. Monolithic Baby! is without a doubt their best work since Superjudge (which is still possibly my all time favourite album) and in fact ranks alongside Superjudge as my fave, despite the fact I only got it on release less then a week ago! It sounds like that album too, only with slightly slicker production.

If favourite tracks must be picked i'd go for: On the Verge, Unbroken (Hotel Baby), Radiation Day, Monolithic - killer tracks all! That is not to say that the others are not as great, just that these come one after the other and are utterly amazing rock tunes. What I love about Monster Magnet's albums in general and this applies to this album too, is that every time you listen to their records you hear new nuances in the sound, or little sounds from different instruments that aren't instantly apparent. This makes all their albums stand up to repeated listens as you take something new away from them every time you listen.

In my opinion this band deserves to be huge, as big as Metallica and playing gigs on the same scale. Their live sound is huge, their energy is huge and if their was any justice in the music world, these guys'd be kings of ...as it is, Monolithic Baby is the best heavy rock album i've heard since Queens of the Stone Age's "Songs for the Deaf".

I can't wait to see them play Dublin, Ireland (ma home) next week- it shall truly Rock!

As for the DVD with this edition:

You get two music videos, Unbroken - which you are unlikely to ever see on MTV, VH1 or any of those sort of channels and which is pretty darn good (particularly if you are partial to lots of bikini (and less) clad ladies!!!!). The Right Stuff video: a Hawkwind cover for which they decided to do a computer animated vid where Dave blows away Hip-Hop, Emo, Pop, Nu-Metal is his jet fighter - great stuff. You also get an interview which is OK and two live tracks from a London gig in December 2003 where they play two new tracks (having a memory lapse on which ones, as the album is at home and me at work presently - in fact all of the above is from memory)

Buy this if you like good rock and roll music - I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are already a fan, you probably have it already!

People who care about real music in America bought Monolithic Baby! on May 25, 2004. Those who know and love MM's early and recent recordings need no prodding: it's a must own. To the uninitiated, it's simple - the only band currently in existence putting out real, pure rock music is Monster Magnet. No other explanation is needed. Guitars, bass, drums, and killer vocals. No big frills or over production in sight. (That's not to say it's muddled garbage like St. Anger.) MM and Monolithic Baby is a reminder of how great music, and more importantly, Rock and Roll are and can be. Support real music.

Every tune on this disc is a hard-rocking joy. Monster Magnet puts the humor back into hard rock. The bonus DVD good also; two funny videos you'll never see on MTV.

Nothing like getting dropped by a record label to send a band scurrying back to their trademark
sound. If you've been keeping up with Monster Magnet releases you know that they've strayed
from their stoner rock roots on the last couple releases which got them a lot of new fans but
alienated their core audience. Sounds like a lot of bands after they get a taste of the big time but
Monster Magnet was smart enough to return with something that can please both camps.

Right from the get go you can hear the return to form with the up beat "Slut Machine" and stony
mid paced chugger "Supercruel". There's even a hint of the "Superjudge" era sound on the next
cut "On The Verge" complete with an alternate tuned sitar sounding intro. These are all solid cuts
but longtime fans will notice the continuation of the more stripped down sound of the last couple
albums. No bong hits in the background, no swirling feedback, no more psychedelic fuzz and
other odd assortments. Some fans may appreciate the lack of what could be viewed as
distractions but I always thought these elements made the songs richer and more complex,
really helping set Monster Magnet apart from their more straight laced Sabbath clone peers. Not
that this is totally missing, there's brief glimpses of it on songs like "Radiation Day" but certainly
nothing like their early work.

Gripes about their current sound aside, there's enough stony riffs on here to please even the
most hardcore stoner rocker but they seem to be concentrated on the front half. The later part of
this record has a few of the slower, space rock cuts that fall a little flat, being a tad long and
repetitive and more importantly lacking the punch of the harder rocking tunes at the start of the
disc. The one standout on the latter half is "Too Bad", which like "On The Verge", sounds
suspiciously similar "Black Balloon" off of their "Superjudge" album. That's cool though because I
always really liked that song so it's nice to hear a reprise.

Overall, I think this is a pretty strong return to form as there are several strong stoner rock cuts on
here but it never quite reaches the brilliance of their earlier work. Still, at least it surpasses their
somewhat lackluster last couple of albums and may be the start of better things to come.

Check out more reviews at ohboydestroy.

Sandwiched somewhere between Superjudge and Dopes to Inifinity, Monolithic Baby is fast becoming my favorite Monster Magnet record. I was skeptical at first, due to Wyndorf's experimentation on God Says No, but after first listen my doubts were laid to rest. Unbroken is so catchy it should be in heavy rotation on hard rock radio, but it won't be. If ever there was a band that deserved to be a household name, it's Monster Magnet. Although, and call me selfish, I'm glad they're not. I've been a fan since Superjudge came out and believe me when I say that this record is simply great. Buy it now!