(album/ STEAMHAMMER RECORDS)
The art of rock 'n' rolling sure features highly in the lives and times of the guys who comprise Monster Magnet. Revolving around Dave Wyndorf, these dudes bash out a perfect mixture of good old fashioned rock 'n' roll tunes and more tender, acoustic-stilted moments - as in the exquisite 'On The Verge,' in which a snowy train station co-exists with 'cups of radiation.'
New Jersey's Monster Magnet in their rockiest, guitar solo-crazed moments could be Megadeth, as 'Slut Machine' boldly opens the album, straight into a hard rock amphitheatre, while 'Monolithic' itself seemingly steals a fuck-off Hives riff to wicked effect.
'There's No Way Out Of Here' is another genius stab of blissful acoustic soul, 'Master Of Light' broods beneath a chic drum loop (imagine Primal Scream's coolest wet dream) and 'Too Bad' would be an ideal tune to release as a single, given its anthemic status.
In promotion of the album these long-haired connoisseurs of the brightest rock 'n' roll dreams are touring the UK and Ireland with Gluecifer and The Quill supporting their root causes, and even though the 'Magnet have been releasing and touring their music for the best part of a decade, this 12-track album hears them in their prime.
Single release 'Broken' is a highlight, but every last track is outstanding - even the two cover songs. The Supersuckers are another band that consistently doles out this type of high-energy rock, which belongs in the world's biggest stadiums. If only Spinal Tap had revelled in this much longevity�
(Steve Rudd)