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Galaxies Go Great With Chocolate:
a review of
Monster Magnet's 4-Way Diablo
by
the Rev. Brian Worley
“Well I’m back!
I’ve got a cock made out of platinum,
I’ve got money comin’ out of the sky.
I’ve got the world’s last piece of chocolate,
I’ve got a full moon in my eye….”
So begins “Wall of Fire”, the second track from 4-Way Diablo, the latest installment from intergalactic rockstars, Monster Magnet. In case you’re not familiar with them, imagine if Rob Zombie had grown up on 70s SF movies instead of horror. Imagine Zaphod Beeblebrox’s favorite band.
Early albums gained a cult following, and they achieved a modicum of success with 1998’s Powertrip (perhaps most notably for their song “Space Lord,” the video of which parodies both Metallica and Ma$e). Afterwards, they released three more albums that failed to impress… well, anyone. Those who still remembered them were worried that they would return, gracelessly, into obscurity, forever grasping for commercial success, trying to recapture the magic that gave them Powertrip.
Thankfully, they seem to have hit it. Highlights include the above-mentioned “Wall of Fire”, “I’m Calling You”, and a cover of the Rolling Stone’s “2,000 Light-years from Home.” The album combines their trademark melodic keyboard swells and heavy Southern guitar riffs, in a way that pushes just past what they’ve done before, and comes together into quite a successful package.
And what’s the secret? Strangely enough, they grew up a little. Sure, they’re still space-rock. Sure, the album cover is a Motorhead-esque bull head with naked ladies around it. Sure, you’d still expect to see Twi’leks shooting up backstage at one of their concerts. Frontman Dave Wyndorf still manages to squeeze in some introspection. As though he’s realized that he’s been doing this thing for over fifteen years, and while he’s not going to stop any time soon, he’s developed a new, deeper appreciation. And he seems to be able to express it while singing a slow song about eating galaxies.
This one’s gonna be in my rotation pretty regularly for a while. After all, they’ve got the world’s last piece of chocolate.
Monster Magnet's new album can be purchased on their website on Nov. 6, 2007.
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