Steppenwolf – Monster

5 Stars

The cover artwork for Monster was never aimed at the teeny bopper crowd.

Audio CD (paid link)

After inventing the heavy metal tag in the bikers’ anthem ‘Born To Be Wild’ and flying the anti-drug cause in ‘The Pusher,’ John Kay and the boys turned their attention to the anti-war campaign with their smash hit album “Monster.”

Coming out during America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, this group of songs proved very popular with the youth of America with its stance against the military war machine and is as relevant now as it was in 1970.

But casting aside all political intentions in this group of songs, Steppenwolf’s credibility was later thrown into contrast with albums such as “For Ladies Only” and Steppenwolf at your birthday party.

Live is where the Steppenwolf transformed into a majestic beast.

Nevertheless, “Monster” rose up the American Charts to Number 17.

Click here for great music from the past

The musical ability and the arrangements shown on these songs are glaringly apparent from the opening chords of the trilogy, ‘Monster/Suicide/America’ slipping from country rock into hard rock bluster at the twinkling of an eye with its built for stadium choruses and cutting lyrics. The strong guitar work of Larry Byrom, who was making his debut performance as Steppenwolf’s lead guitarist, and Goldy McJohn’s keyboard work, in particular, support John Kay’s rants. The band also gets a chance to shine during the album’s only instrumental ‘Fag,’ a slide guitar/piano workout which comes in welcome contrast to some of this album’s heavier vocal songs.

That is not to say that all of the songs hit the spot. But they do with ‘Draft Resister’ – certainly being this Dog’s rallying call if somebody wanted to cart him off to be shot at (especially against cats).

You wanna take our picture? Well, do it now.

My two big complaints though are against the record company. In the days of CDs, 33 minutes is plainly not long enough. Could they not have doubled it up with Steppenwolf 7 (an album of equal length) to make one CD or found some outtakes or live versions?

Mott’s reviews of new releases can be found by clicking here

My second major quibble is the transfer of “Monster” onto CD. This is appalling. Removing all the pomp and majesty of the original, this power package deserves far more.

So Five Stars for the Music. Zero to the record company.

Even when John Kay is smiling warmly at the camera, the band doesn’t drop the menace behind him.

Steppenwolf were

John Kay – Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar

Larry Byrom – Lead Guitar

Nick St Nicholas – Bass Guitar

Goldy McJohn – Hammond Organ and Piano

Jerry Edmonton – Drums (and Lead Vocals on What Would You Do)

Songs

Monster/Suicide/America

Draft Resister

Power Play

Move Over

Fag

What Would You Do (If I Did That To You)

From Here to There Eventually

Written by Mott the Dog

Remember to visit and subscribe to Mott’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1003417143122919/

Click here to ramble through the archives

Mott’s new releases can be found by clicking here

Previous Article

Porcupine Tree – Closure / Continuation (Deluxe)

Next Article

Pink Floyd – Animals 2018 Remix

You might be interested in …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *