MONSTER MOVIE

After listening the late 60's "Delay" tapes, I had to prior this classic for instant listening. The minimal, trashy and anxious songs sound here slightly less powerful to my ears than the first more demo-level recordings. But also here the spontaneous and rough approach is strongly emphasized. The record kind of expands the American garage rock sound to further heights by expanding the track lengths and avoiding even more traditional rock song solutions. Third song "Outside My Door" maybe crystallizes this aspect most perfectly. "Father Cannot Yell" starts the album with neurotic beat slightly similar to jamming sounds of Jefferson Airplane (minus hippie-joy and openness) and 13th Floor Elevators (no jug...), added here with "migraine effects" and streetwise tales chanted by Malcom Mooney. Stinging acid guitar of Michael Karols does not give remorse but only forces to either accept or reject this music, where different variations within the main theme constantly shift and morph. "Mary, Mary so Contrary" starts as melodic and mellow, developing to really depressive directions via growing pressure of the hypnotic mantra's form. The fourth track "You Do Right" does a twenty minutes long trip to the world of collective groovy jamming, imaginative but still solid in variations, sticking up to the menacing repetition.

I think this music probably unites (rarely?) fans of vintage psychedelia and progressive rock with those also interested of roots of artistic punk and rhythm music related to the forthcoming paths of Krautrock scene. Maybe this factor added to sincerity, personal solutions and cool aesthetics have earned this group to become a real cult classic act with wide reckoning? I also liked Mooney's vocal presence on this band much; I understood he was hiding from Vietnam drafts, and hat to quit the performing as he grew concerned of being caught from a gig. I have seen amazing videos from forthcoming line-up's gigs with Mr. Damo Suzuki, but the studio recordings still wait for further listening. "Future Days" might be my next try, unless I should find much more live material from the band's 1970's career.