MONSTER MAGNET '4-Way Diablo' (SPV) RATING: 7.5/10

By JEFF MAKI

Dave Wyndorf and company have returned with a trademark Monster Magnet album in 4-Way Diablo. This is rock n' roll baby! Raw, uncensored and uncut—no overproduction or studio effects and it shows with the loose, classic rock feel. In fact, according to Wyndorf, most of the songs were recorded in only one or two takes.

Monster Magnet had nearly dropped off the radar since their explosion with “Space Lord” way back when, but the band has been on the road constantly even without a hit single or album. It looks like they're going to take a different direction now. Wyndorf apparently suffered a drug overdose in 2006 before a European tour, a direct result of the band's nonstop show on the road. Wyndorf has said he's going to concentrate on making new music right now, and let's hope so if it all is as good as 4-Way Diablo.

The opening title track welcomes the boys back after three years with a bang. Wyndorf sings like a young Paul Stanley over a classic guitar riff and it is the catchiest song of the album. The momentum keeps up with “Wall of Fire,” “You're Alive” and one of the best songs ever written by this band, “No Vacation.” It sounds like they've taken a cue from Danzig with the dark lyrics in the song. They also tackle the Rolling Stones “2000 Lightyears From Home” and make it their own, much like the cover on their last album, Monolithic Baby, “There's No Way Out of Here.” This is signature Monster Magnet, as I hear elements from almost all their releases, mainly Dopes to Infinity. All around and in between is that “fuck you” rock n' roll attitude, the way shit used to be.

4-Way Diablo has the same vibe as Queens of the Stone Age's Songs for the Deaf (though it doesn't rank with this by any means). Sure a couple of songs don't really work. Hearing Wyndorf sing some sort of poetry on “Little Bag of Gloom” made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. A few songs in the middle are also a bit bland. There's no “Spacelord” on here or any potential hits, for that matter, but we need more albums like 4-Way Diablo in today's rock and metal scene. This album only adds to an already impressive discography. If you don't like it, I don't think they really give a fuck.