Monster (Steppenwolf album)
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Template:Album reviews Monster is the fourth studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in November 1969, by ABC Dunhill Records. It was their first LP with new lead guitarist Larry Byrom instead of Michael Monarch. The album was Steppenwolf's most political album, making references to prominent issues at the time, such as the Vietnam War.
The album was the first Steppenwolf album not to feature a US top ten hit, though two singles from the album entered the top 40: "Move Over" and "Monster".[1]
Reception
Reviews for Monster have generally been negative. Rolling Stone commented that the playing of the individual performers is "top-notch", but that "[t]heir arrangements have become sloppy and crude, as the early-Zappa lyrics continuously clash with the music."[2]
AllMusic panned the album in their retrospective review, remarking that "these lumbering hard rock tunes were not an effective means to address [important political topics], politically or musically."[3]
On the other hand, Village Voice critic Robert Christgau gave the album praise. Christgau gave the album a B+ rating and called it "an excellent comeback", though he thought the preachy lyrics marred somewhat the final result.[4]
Record World called the title track a "rocking smash" on which "the group never sounded better."[5] Record World said of the single "Move Over" that "Steppenwolf are back in their best of bags."[6]
Track listing
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Personnel
Steppenwolf
- John Kay – vocals, harmonica, guitar
- Larry Byrom – lead guitar
- Nick St. Nicholas – bass guitar
- Goldy McJohn – Hammond organ, piano
- Jerry Edmonton – drums and lead vocals on "What Would You Do (If I Did That to You)"
Technical
- Gabriel Mekler – producer
- Bill Cooper – engineer
- Richard Podolor – engineer
Charts
Album
Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 17 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | "Move Over" | US Billboard Hot 100 | 31[1] |
| 1969 | "Monster" | US Billboard Hot 100 | 39[1] |
References
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- ↑ a b c [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] Steppenwolf USA chart history], Billboard.com. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
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