Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


The Almost
Monster Monster



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 45 minutes, 7 seconds
Street Date: November 3, 2009


There are all types of bands out there for all types of people. Hard rock, hardcore, metal, death metal, screamo; these are all variations on the same idea yet they are so completely unique in their own regard. What's so great about music is that listeners don't just become fans of a genre, but they become fans of a band. Real people and real experiences, hard work and dedication, passion and personality, these are just a few aspects of a band that extend far beyond the reaches any genre can have.

A decent band is one that executes an idea with little or no innovation, but is enjoyable to listen to. A good band innovates, but focuses on an idea that has been done before in an interesting way. A great band is one whose songs resonate with listeners because they are both unique and exciting in ways they haven't heard before.

The Almost are perhaps more than decent, good and great; they're awesome. Not only are they spectacular live, but their newest album, Monster Monster, defies pre-set genre boundaries and innovates with each song. Every listen is a new experience. What started out as a side-project of Underoath drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie, and little more than a distraction from his day job, has turned into one of the most interesting and original bands today. Gillespie is on record saying that Monster Monster is a "complete band effort" and the growth this gives shows.

This album has it all. Imagine if the entire Tooth and Nail roster met in one room and created a record. Take the intensity of Gillespie's own Underoath, the stripped down sensibility of Starflyer 59, the multi-instrumental talent of Surrogate, Corey Crowder's country feel, and add the raw rock of Showbread and the makings of Monster Monster only begin to surface. In the closing track alone, all of these styles can be heard as it clocks in at over six minutes long.

But diversity isn't the only reason this album stands out. Monster Monster is a flat-out mainstream worship record with a completely uncompromised message. The album revolves around the idea that sin in our lives makes us "monsters," but that through God we can be transformed. Both the first and last tracks (named "Monster Monster" and "Monster" respectively) directly address this idea, while the rest of the album gives praise to God and calls out to Him. "Hand Grenade," an acoustic country ballad, is a perfect example of this. Gillespie cries: "If you're an ocean then, I wanna jump right in. If you're a hand grenade then, I'll pull the pin. I'll wait right here all night, for you to let me in. And I'll run, run, run, run. Run right back to you I'll run."

Other highlights include current singles "Hands" and "Lonely Wheel," and pop gem "Souls on Ten." The boldness in which The Almost craves intimacy with God is refreshing and deserves to be respected. Through a partnership with Virgin Records, Monster Monster will be released at-large to the mainstream much like Southern Weather, the band's debut. The album has a potential to reach millions of people, and with it, its message of hope and love found in God.

Monster Monster is a huge step forward both musically and lyrically for the band. With an incredible message and a cover that is both fun and culturally relevant (try not to think about Where the Wild Things Are), The Almost has created one of the most important, and best, albums of the year.

- Review date: 11/1/09, written by John "Flip" Choquette of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records / Virgin Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 45 minutes, 7 seconds
. Street Date: November 3, 2009
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: iTunes

  1. Monster Monster (3:20)
  2. Lonely Wheel (3:15)
  3. No I Don't (3:54)
  4. Hands (3:59)
  5. Young Again (2:57)
  6. Summer Summer (4:02)
  7. Hand Grenade (3:50)
  8. Books and Books (3:32)
  9. Souls On Ten (3:25)
  10. Want To (3:25)
  11. Get Through (3:24)
  12. Monster (6:15)
  13. West** Best Buy Deluxe Exclusive
  14. Wrong** Best Buy Deluxe Exclusive

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images