Monsters [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Meat Puppets | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B00000IN4L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,650 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

Includes three previously unreleased tracks, as well as the promotional video for "Light." Also, an essay by Mark Kemp and recording notes by Derrick Bostrom.

"This album is all about remembering how to rock," exclaimed Rockpoolmagazine. The last Meat Puppets album of the eighties was also their last one for an independent label. It wasn't long after the Fall 1989 release of "Monsters" that the Meat Puppets were off and running for newer and bigger things!

For this reissue, three tracks have been added, filling out the album's running time to almost an hour. Along with two completely different versions of "Flight of the Fire Weasel," also included is a recently discovered never before heard tune, "Wish Upon a Storm." Recorded during the demos for "Monsters" but inexplicably left off the final album, it has been newly remixed for this edition.

As an added bonus, the albums in this series include an "Enhanced CD" partition for play on home computers. "Monsters" offers the promotional video for "Light." The clip was produced and directed by Bill Taylor and features shots of the Puppets live in concert.

Product Description

The last Meat Puppets album of the eighties was also their last one for an independent label. It wasn't long after the Fall 1989 release of "Monsters" that the Meat Puppets were off and running for newer and bigger things! For this reissue, three tracks have been added, filling out the album's running time to almost an hour. Along with two completely different versions of "Flight of the Fire Weasel," also included is a recently discovered never before heard tune, "Wish Upon a Storm." Recorded during the demos for "Monsters" but inexplicably left off the final album, it has been newly remixed for this edition. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The heavy tunes don't really suit them, August 13, 2004

By 

John Alapick (Harveys Lake, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monsters (Audio CD)

Monsters was the Meat Puppets' last album for independent record label SST records before going to a major label for their next album Forbidden Places. Up until this point in their career, the band's sound was becoming very diverse, combining country, punk, blues-rock, and psychedelia into their own unique sound. With Monsters, the band went into a heavier direction and while many of the songs here are good, the album overall doesn't have the staying power of their earlier releases Up On The Sun and Meat Puppets II or their breakthough album Too High To Die.

Many of the tracks here such as "Attacked By Monsters", "The Void", and the haphazard instrumental "Flight of the Fire Weasel" all feature wicked riffs and are among the heaviest songs they've ever recorded. But while these songs are decent and feature wild guitar work from Curt Kirkwood, it's the more melodic material that works best here. The tracks "In Love", "Light", and especially "Touchdown King" are all great songs which combine Kirkwood's guitar work with memorable melodies. Other tracks such as "Meltdown" and the dreamy closer "Like Being Alive" are decent as well. The tracks "Strings on Your Heart" and "Party Til the World Obeys" are unmemorable which is surprising considering the consistently strong material that usually comprises their albums. While this album is decent, they've released much better albums than this and only "Touchdown King" is among their best work.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Strong album, November 5, 2004

By 

Daniel Vaccaro "Danny" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monsters (Audio CD)

The album which most embodies Nirvana's sound, is a really good piece of work. Although they made a bad desicion and put electric drums on the album,(which really gives it its 80's sound) it still manages to work,despite the fact it didn't work for alot of bands. The album is really good when you're hanging out in your basement on a rainy day, or night. Overall it's a pretty "peppy" album, so it won't bring you down; it's happy, and all of its listenable, which is very contrary to their earlier stuff. In my opinion the first album on their way to greatness.

4.0 out of 5 stars Something for everyone..., October 19, 2009

By 

dtm (ct USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monsters (Audio CD)

Let me just start off by saying this is one of my favorite Meat Puppets records.I am aware of fact that this is NOT considered in the top tier of their studio efforts, and there are really good reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that it was recorded one part at a time, layering solos over drum-machines one by one. This does detract from the experiance- the Puppets are always best recording as if playing live, which gives a more organic sound, both stylistically and acoustically.

There are other problems too, mainly that drum machine which dates this record badly. The great thing about albums like "Up On The Sun" is that they sound so organic and original that years later (many years later) they still sound cutting edge. This record does NOT sound cutting edge, but its still one hell of a record and its important to remember that the Meat Puppets were one of the bands pioneering the alt-rock sound that would (a few years later) dominate the radio.

The sound here is heavy, and reminds me alot of early Alice In Chains to be honest, but what puts this over any Chains record I own is the guitar work. Its simply outstanding, the soaring solo's provided by Curt Kirkwood own this record. They also make the biggest statment about his playing- if you have any doubts about Curt Kirkwood as an outstanding axeman- look no further than this record. There are also some great jams here, more than a few of the tracks are stretched out beyond the six minute mark and there is an all instumental "Flight Of The Fire Weasel" that will have you playing air-guitar in no time. One of the best workouts on this album is the jam on the end of "Touchdown King".

I like the production alot, its crisp and clear and I dont mind that it sounds so much like a studio recording - because you already know that due to the reverb of the drum machine- so it works. The guitars always seem in the distance as if in their own little world, alot like Larry LaLonde's work on Primus' albums. Again, I like it, it gives a ambient psychadelic quality.

This is another side of the Meat Puppets. Its hard hitting and self-indulgent for sure. Thats the thing about these guys though, you got somthing different on each record. You might love them all as I do, or maybe some of them dont quite work for you.......but they are all worth a listen. Just another facet of a truly unique band. For me this one works in particular- and what does it is the swirling psychadelic guitar noise, but thats not everybody's cup of tea. What is certain though is that if you are a Meat Puppets fan, you have gotten pretty good looking past their flaws to appreciate the genius. This one is no exception.