The album was the outset Steppenwolf album non to characteristic a United States of America transcend 10 hit, though 2 singles from the album cracked the transcend 40: "Move Over" as well as "Monster".
It is hard around 30 years after to explicate to younger listeners precisely how good this album articulated the feel of desperation as well as rage at the social scheme then prevalent alongside the sixties generation. Steppenwolf Pb vocalist John Kay managed to provocatively employ the "Monster" analogy to perfection inward explaining the terrifying existential dilemma the sixties generation constitute itself in, trapped yesteryear the injustice as well as stupidity of the military machine draft on ane side, as well as the unknowing, uncaring, as well as plainly dysfunctional fabric machinations of mainstream American civilisation on the other. All that said, this particular worldview informs ane of the nearly outrageously vivid vocal cycles inward modern rock. Monster is a piece of job of musical genius yesteryear John Kay, as well as is an nether appreciated masterwork inward that sense.
The singularity of the lyrics, arrangements, as well as musicianship of this nail best-selling album is apparent from the opening bars of the trilogy of Monster/Suicide/America. It is highly political, but at the same fourth dimension actually rocks. By the way, although the lyrics may appear a flake stylized as well as anachronistic now, whatever ane who lived through those years recognizes the predominating perceptions behind it, every bit good every bit the conviction many of us had regarding the patent evil that surrounded us. Moreover, the indictment of materialism as well as its woes is strangely soundless quite accurate as well as relevant, a cautionary tale ane tin easily utilise to the problems soundless confronting America, a province that oft seems for sale to the highest bidder. That itself is amazing, given all the changes that get got occurred. But for only stunning stone music, it is hard to crunch songs similar "Draft Resister" (my personal favorite), "Move Over", as well as the Monster trilogy. Sit back, plow upwards the volume, as well as trip dorsum with Steppenwolf to that super-charged political environs of the belatedly sixties, as well as get got your heed for a ride. Enjoy!
With “Monster” came a fresh flare-up of unloose energy with the add-on of Larry Byrom (who replaced Michael Monarch on Pb guitar) as well as his “let’s teach to it” attitude. In my persuasion the monster album was a stronger endeavor than anything since the minute album. However, fourth dimension was in ane trial over again our enemy which made it necessary that nosotros recorded this projection inward an unusual fashion. The guys came upwards with ane rails after around other piece I was trying to maintain upwards with my vocal parts as well as lyrics. Since this was supposed to hold upwards a concept album, I had to write inside certainly guidelines then that the lyrics stand upwards for inside the concept. During the recording of this album as well as “7”, which was to follow, I spent nearly of my fourth dimension at my studio sometimes until three or iv inward the morning, working on the melodies as well as lyrics. I would bring together the guys at American Recorders where they continued to come upwards up with novel tracks, whenever I was create to overdub my finished vocal parts on ane of the previously recorded basic tracks. On “From Here To There Eventually” as well as “Power Play” I likewise played guitar on the basic tracks. The somewhat unusual method of recording notwithstanding I was soundless excited each fourth dimension the guys brought me a newly recorded instrumental track, since Larry as well as the guys came upwards with ane cracking musical thought after another. Consequently, nosotros were all pleased with the results.
Here's the dorsum cover, lamentable I forgot to include it inward the download:
Track listing
1. "Monster" (John Kay, Jerry Edmonton)/"Suicide" (Kay, Nick St. Nicholas, Byrom, Edmonton)/"America" (Kay, Edmonton) – 9:15
2. "Draft Resister" (Kay, Goldie McJohn, Byrom) – 3:20
3. "Power Play" (Kay) – 5:26
4. "Move Over" (Kay, Mekler) – 2:53
5. "Fag" (Byrom, Edmonton, St. Nicholas) – 3:13
6. "What Would You Do (If I Did That to You)" (Francen, Porter) – 3:19
7. "From Here to There Eventually" (Kay, McJohn, Edmonton) – 5:27
Personnel
John Kay - Vocals
Goldy McJohn - Keyboard
Larry Byrom - Guitar
Jerry Edmonton - Drums
Nick St. Nicholas - Bass
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