Metal should inspire many things.
Boredom, however, is not one of them.
But that’s exactly the feeling one leaves with after listening to “God Says No,” the new album from the hard rock/heavy metal quintet Monster Magnet. “God Says No” plods along slowly, without any direction to guide it.
Monster Magnet wasn’t always so dull. With songs like “Negasonic Teenage Warhead” from 1995’s “Dopes to Infinity,” the band used to have a fun, spacey vibe that rocked one’s booty. Even on “Powertrip,” its 1998 breakthrough into the mainstream, the band still found time to have its fun.
The album falters in part due to the band’s over-indulgence, a weakness common among many rock ‘n’ roll bands who become successful. Several tracks run too long, particularly a pair of seven minute-plus songs that bog down the end of the album.
Not everything is woe and gloom, however. The first track, “Melt,” builds subtly, with a placid, expansive guitar riff providing the backdrop. The song adds layers and layers of intensity, leaving one’s head slowly bobbing up and down in appreciation. While “God Says No” starts off well enough, it falls apart from there.
“Doomsday,” the album’s third track, basically illustrates all of the failings of the entire recording. It’s overly repetitive chorus and the monotonous vocals from lead singer Dave Wyndorf doom the song from the beginning. It kills the flow of the record to that point, and none of the following tracks are able to spark enough energy to save the entire album.
Wyndorf’s and Matt Hyde’s polished production does little to help matters. In an album that could use some grit and grime, “God Says No” has a glossy, too-perfect shine that quells the brewing rage of the rock gods.
In addition to vocals, Wyndorf is the primary songwriter and contributes guitar and keyboards. The rest of the players are Ed Mundell on guitar, Joe Calandra on bass, Jon Kleiman on drums and Phil Caivano with additional guitar. The band certainly knows how to play, but the material isn’t juicy enough to hold interest.
Although Monster Magnet will never be confused with Marilyn Manson, heavy metal should at least be something that can inspire some rebellion or parental wrath. To paraphrase Dr. Evil, Monster Magnet is the Diet Coke of metal. Just one calorie, not metal enough.
The only songs that have a proper level of anarchy are “Medicine” and “My Little Friend,” which give the album a needed boost of anger. “Kiss of the Scorpion” tries to get furious, but fails to ring true.
It’s not as if “God Says No” is a bad record. It’s just uninteresting. And there’s no greater sin in rock ‘n’ roll than that.
There’s solid tracks in this mix, but they’ll most likely be killed after radio overexposure. If one is inclined to get to know Monster Magnet, skip “Go Says No” and chase after its earlier work.
