Customer Reviews

Monument to the Masses (Clean)

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

 

 

While not as caffeinated and brilliant as their debut album, it is still a great bunch of high energy and quirky rock/punk/electro and even rap tunes. So much better than the below average crap that passes for music nowadays. I will agree that overall, the "Search and Destroy" ep is more satisfying, I would not write this one off. I guess you could call it a more mature bunch of songs. Standouts are "Disconnected", "Happy Annie", "Stick It to the Man", "Chip Off the block", "Pouring Pain" and "Eskimo Ride".

As a side note, I think this album is a bit more "safe" than the debut, and from what I can tell its a label thing. In the "Search and Destroy" EP has liner notes Alex Ebert seems to hint that the label wouldn't let them be as experimental as they wanted to be, and thats why they released that label free experimenal record.

I have been a Ima Robot fan since I heard them some odd years ago, and I've been a loyal follower and listener since. However, I noticed a re-occuring trend: either people love them or they hate them, there really is no middle ground. Their self-titled debute album in 2003 exposed the masses to Ima Robot, and their follow-up "Monument To The Masses" is a superb sequel.

The first 3 tracks, 'Disconnected', 'Creeps Me Out', and 'Cool Cool Universe' really set the tone for the album, but doesnt set the standard, since tracks like 'Happy Annie' and 'Lovers in Captivity' push towards the more abstract side. Tracks like 'The Beat' and 'Dangerous Life' remind veteran Ima Robot fans of the signature sound that got them hooked on the band in the first place. There isn't a dull moment amongst the 12 tracks. My personal favorite on the album is 'What Comes Tomorrow'.

Ultimately, "Monument to the Masses" really shows how Ima Robot has matured as a band. There are subtle things on this album that a trained ear can pick up, such as the use of shaker percussions on alot of the tracks, something different from the debute album 3 years ago. David Blendeth was the head producer on this album (different from Josh Abraham on the debute album), so obviously a new sound was going to be brought to the table. The lyrics on "Monument To The Masses" also possess more political undertones, which again is either a turn-on or turn-off for the listeners, but I truthfully dig it.

Loyal fans of Ima Robot can aruge some of their best stuff is the 'lesser-known' work, such as the PrinceHouse Records release "Search And Destroy E.P" (which includes stellar tracks such as 'Paint The Town Red', 'Tumbling Down', 'Good Girl'), or the B-Sides (such as 'STD Dance', 'I'm Your Bitch', 'The Beat Goes On' ect)...but the title of "Monument to the Masses" says it all. Ima Robot pulls off cross-over appeal, something fans of both the electro/rock clash movement (that seems to be present in both LA {Ima Robot's hometown} and the UK oddly enough) and fans of the present emo/punk/pop movement can appreciate. You can only push the envelope so far musically before its becomes a turn-off on either end of the spectrum, and Ima Robot falls right in the middle.

Some side notes: members of the band, such as the keyboardist/bass player Filip Nikolic and guitarist Timmy The Terror have side-projects in which they produce electro dance/rock music that has gained popularity internationally on the dancefloors under the pseudonym of "The Hammers". The former bass player Justin Meldal-Johnsen (who is the bass player for Beck and is also a producer/song-writer/session musician for numerous musical groups: Macy Grey, Garbage, Tori Amos, ect) was involved with the production of "Monument to the Masses", but is no longer touring with the group.

This album is a must own, not only for fans of Ima Robot, but also for anybody who claims to be a fan of the current punk/pop movement that is dominating the radiowaves and MTV.

It's been about 3 years since IMA's debut album that was knockout quality. Finally this september I got to hear the new fix of one of the most addictive bands I've ever heard, and Monument to the Masses ended up being well worth the wait. This is one of the best bands out there.

This to me is even better than there self titled album. Alex voice sounds 100% better and the lyrics are amazing. This is a must have for all Ima fans!!! Go get it!!!!!

Ima Robot's second album, while a decent effort, has failed to satisfy me. Rather than continue with the unique blend of punk and 80s synth pop in their self-titled debut, this one goes for a more rock-out approach with ear-shattering and similar sounding drums and guitars. There are a couple gems on this album, namely Happy Annie and Stick It To The Man, but this album gets boring after a few songs. In fact, it's given me a headache a few times.

If you are looking for a better follow up to Ima Robot's debut, get their EP called Search and Destroy. It follows the same winning formula of their debut album. Unfortunatly, it was only sold at shows during their 2006 spring tour so it might be hard to find, but it's worth it.

Band has come a long way with this since their first self titled release. Nice mix of songs. Probably their best effort - their latest with the new lineup is a little iffy.

This bands' debut was one of my favorite records of that year, and after an initial wave of disappointment, this album has been growing on me. The tempo has slowed considerably, and the pace lends itself well to catchy hooks that stick in your head like peanut butter on the roof of a dog's mouth. Wait, the last time I mentioned peanut butter and my dogs' mouth I was talking about that day when I was real lonely and...nevermind.
The only gripe I have is w/ Alex's lyrics. You've heard of the hip-hop rhyming dictionary? Somebody must have published the indie/dance rock version, because some of the couplets here are truly cringe-worthy. "Hmmm...what rhymes with insane? Pain? Brilliant!!!"
A little more effort w/ the lyrics, and this would be a near perfect sophmore release.

Ima Robot has become one of my favorite bands with this album. I got started with them on their last album with songs like Scream and Alive And I purchased Monument to the Masses becuase I thought that Creeps Me Out was a fun song. But this is one of those great albums where the song you baught it for isn't your favorite for long. After I had this CD in my car for few days I realized I was hooked. Chip Off The Block is probably my favorite track. While the sound might be a little bit 80's for some tastes Ima Robot pulls it off well. Monument to the Masses rocks with only 1 or 2 songs that I don't care for all that much, and even those are alright. If you've heard Creeps Me Out and liked it, give this album a try!

I came on the bandwagon for this band a little late, and it took no time for me to learn I'd buy this album the day it came out. I was at first a bit disappointed, it was much more pop-like when compared to their earlier work. Still, if you give it more than one chance it grows on you, and songs such a Disconnected, Creeps Me Out, and Stick It To The Man are instant classics. The reason I only give it four stars is because I picked up the Search and Destroy EP at a show before hand and I find that album to be much better (I also think that album is close to perfect and any IMA Robot fan needs that in their collection). Still, listen to the samples on this page and if you have any slight interest buy the album. It only gets better.