Search - Monkeywrench :: Gabriels Horn

Pray Til You Sweat.

Gasmask Emperor | Minneapolis,MN | 03/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They're back! The legendary Monkeywrench deliver their third full-length album in 17 years. Gabriel's Horn finds the Wrench in a rockin' mood. It sounds a lot like their last record Electric Children, with a bit more of a doomsday preaching vibe. Mark Arm's delivery is utterly classic. Since Senior` Arm's greatness is always mentioned in reviews, I'll just leave it at that. What strikes me most, is the guitar playing, and the drumming. Guitarists Tim Kerr (Big Boys, etc) & Tom Price (Gas Huffer, T.P. Desert Classic) really deliver the goods. That jangly, electric feedback sound that they've developed is at full strength here. Black Plastic Tarp, Sunnyland, and Pray Til You Sweat are shining examples of that guitar sound. It is important to mention the drumming on this record. Martin Bland, of Lubricated Goat & Bloodloss fame is in fine form. He's got a certain swinging energy to his playing, which add bring a driving force to the songs (check out Flashy New Dance Steps to hear what I'm talkin' about). Of course, we've got Stevie Turner on the Bass guitar, and y'know, he's good, damn good. What makes the Monkeywrench so great is not the individual parts, but how they work together. The songs on Gabriel's Horn branch out into some sonic weirdness, including two almost instrumental songs (Gabriel's Horn & G.H.Slight Return). There are two cover songs here. One is a George Jones number (I Stopped Loving Her Today),the other is Levitation by the 13th Floor Elevators. While the Jones tune works, it doesn't grab me like the explosive Levitation... they rock this sucker out and truly make it theirs. The little electric jug-type sound at the end is priceless. The bottom line: The Monkeywrench throw it down on Gabriel's Horn. All the classic elements are here, and they've thrown in some suprises. My only gripe here, is that Birdman Records didn't press this record on vinyl. I purchased the download, in hopes that someday soon this little gem of a record will be properly released. Welcome back gents, it's been far too long."

Welcome return from an underrated band

John Harmon | Ireland | 03/17/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The legendary Mark Arm returns with another great record full of distorted blues, twisted psychedelia and stomping garage rock! A must have for Mudhoney fans and anybody else who appreciates great music from a seriously underrated band!"