Monster Magnet Album: “Mastermind”

I hate when I'm buying a vinyl and check reviews and Amazon just links it with the CD's. So I'm not goin to review the music really here. It is the best album since "Powertrip". It is not "Powertrip" though. It not their best work but it is very damn good. It's a little more robust but not too much to loose the feel of good ole classic stoner rock. My views on the album are pretty much the same as everyone else and I am not going to waste my and your time trying to find a new a flashy way to say what has already been done. So the the meat and potatoes. The album is a double LP on white, thick vinyl. Like the limited edition cd, the LP has the two extra tracks on it "Fuzz Pig" (which sounds similar to 'Freak Shop USA') and "Watch Me Fade". It has about 3 to 4 songs between sides a-d. The sound quality is excellent. I have this on digital, cd, and vinyl and vinyl (like it should be) is by far the best. If you are looking for something portable, it comes with a copy of the cd so that increases the value. Personal note that Amazon won't tell you, and them as a business I got it, but me as a fan that is supporting the band, for 25$ and for a LIMITED time you can get all this, plus have it autographed by Dave himself. They remove (for me) the top right of the shrink wrap and Dave scribbles his John Handcock on the jacket. The vinyl is still technically sealed because you can not reach the vinyl from the little shrink wrap that is removed. For a fan, its a cool extra for nothing more. BUT, it is offered only when ordering from the band's website. IF you are looking for great music, pick up this LP. If you are looking for great music and bought the cd, well get a turntable, buy the LP and give away the extra copy of the cd you have to a non fan and win some more support!

One thing I don't get is people thinking that their previous albums 4-Way Diablo or God Says No were "weaker" ones, and this is a return to form. I really like this album quite a bit, and I definitely like their older stuff a ton too, but I think their latest three are actually far and away my overall favorites.

There's definitely some great stuff in their older works, with a lot more focus towards psychedelic sound so the tone is different, but having not listened to them for a while, 4-Way Diablo is actually the one that brought me back to check out their newer stuff which is less spaced out and more "slow heavy" for a lack of a better description. Well over half of my favorite songs from the group have been on the last three albums.

I really dig the apocalyptic tone several songs on this album have, such as The Titan That Cried Like a Baby and When the Planes Fall From the Sky. If you ever liked Monster Magnet or just want to try out a band that has a very unique sound that can't be mistaken for anyone else, give this one a shot.

No surprises here regarding the quality of music, it's Dave Wyndorf, the man who writes about 99% of all Monster Magnet songs post Spine Of God, doing his 'big space rock thang' pretty much to perfection. I've read elsewhere comments about this being the best MM album since Powertrip... well those people obviously haven't listened to Monolithic! or 4 Way Diablo, which both match the heights achieved by this latest album.

It's great to know that Dave Wyndorf's creative talents have not waned one little bit in the 20 odd years Monster Magnet have been around for and long may that continue.

All hail the Bull God >:)

To me, Monster Magnet is one of the most under appreciated bands out there. For years they have put out good songs on each of their later albums that should have been on the radio but for one reason or another fell between the cracks. I've followed them since Powertrip and have since gone back to their early stuff and all the way to the present. I hear a lot of people complain that it isn't the true "stoner" rock of Tab...25 or Superjudge, but I wouldn't expect any band this many years down the road to regress that far back into the past without not being true to themselves. That said, to me this ranks 2nd on my list of their best albums behind Dopes to Infinity. It really feels like the put the effort in to make a good CD from start to finish. I agree with others, that the increased prominence of the bass helps add to the heaviness of the songs. For those looking for a blast from the past, the 1st 3 songs fit the bill. The big difference in this CD from several of the more recent ones is the consistency of the songs throughout. I still think the front end of the CD is strongest.

"Hallucination Bomb" and "Bored with Sorcery" - I liked these right out of the gate. Reminds me of the tandem that kicks off Dopes.

"Dig That Hole" - grew on me over time. Has a Nod Scene vibe.

"Gods & Punks" - This is a great hook song that to me has hit potential if played on radio (edited of course). I also thought the video was very cool (the superhero costume would have been cool for Halloween).

"Titan" - I'm not a big fan of this one, it bores me as it goes along.

"Mastermind" & "100 Million Miles" - Both solid songs, but not "great"

"Perish in Fire" - to me this is the weakest song. It has a groove that I seem like they've played before in several other songs to better effect.

"Time Machine" - good

"When the Planes Fall From the Sky" - one of the strongest songs in the 2nd half of the CD

"Ghost Story" - very atmospheric. A strong song.

"All Outta Nothin" - not quite as strong as I thought the closing track would be. Seems like it was missing something to me. More hook and not as repetitive in the main body of the song. Again it seems like a case where the riffing, chorus, and even some of the lyrics sounds very familiar to past MM songs. The middle break is still good.

"Watch Me Fade" - as an extra song, this is good. Reminds me of earlier stuff. Could have been a better closer than above.

"Fuzz Pig" - should have left this one off.

Definitely worth buying. I still wish they would play the US instead of hanging in Europe. I had tickets to see them once with the Cult but their show was canceled when Dave broke his arm or something skateboarding. I'd like the chance to see them live at least once.

no such thing as a bad monster magnet album .....i have been listening to this band for almost 20 years and still one of my favorites ...and i ordered this cd from amazon and got to me 3 days befor i thought it would ...over all great purchase