The Almost – Monster Monster – Review

Release Date: November 3rd, 2009
Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Genre: Rock

While many began crying foul over the squeezed creative juices Aaron Gillespie wasn’t putting towards Underoath, I sat quietly in 2007 awaiting his side project, The Almost. What came about was one of the more endearing albums of that year. “Southern Weather” took the shy and charming side of Underoath that is always hidden behind a bass drum and cymbals, and tossed it into the spotlight. Since then, the jesus-loving, soft voiced side project we had come to rely on as a guilty pleasure was getting blotted out by Underoath‘s 2008 odyssey, “Lost In The Sound Of Separation.” Luckly, Aaron has returned to his new stomping grounds with The Almost‘s new album “Monster Monster.” The timing of this album and the movie “Where The Wild Things Are,” (which the art bares a resemblance) couldn’t be more perfect, lets just hope this has less kids and more bite to it than the movie.

You should know though, “Monster Monster” feels like a total other beast all together. Featuring less moody and aggressive tracks, this album feels as if it has completely left the southern weather beginnings  and settled somewhere north — far north. In fact most of the album sounds like Aaron knocked Matt Thiessen unconscious and took control of Relient K for a few recording sessions. Right about now you might be asking me, “Well isn’t that a good thing?, I mean Relient K are jesus freaks and their charming rock is always a hit.” Well you would be right about them being consistently good band, but when discussing The Almost it feels as if they have softened their edge. There are harmonizing riffs abound, but nothing ever seems to connect from their roots.

And those roots are what had people picking up their jaws two years ago, after “Southern Weather” did a sneak jab to everyone’s expectations. I mean don’t get me wrong, Aaron’s voice is a primary reason why Underoath still has half their fans, and why The Almost is so successful; so in that respect, this album is still stellar. His lyrics aren’t too bad either, being heartfelt and urgent — not so preachy and rather caring (a nice change from the Christian genre standard). The problem arises however, as “Monster Monster” feels a tad bi-polar. It’s either a racing, potential radio hit (” Monster Monster,” “Books & Books,” “Want To,” etc), or the band leaps from their signature box and goes ahead making a steel guitar-filled folk song (“Hand Grenade”). There is very little middle ground. And in that way, the record either bores you, or alienates you.

Aaron keeps this record afloat in so many aspects however. Just when you would think, “God, this album has so many holes in it,” you’d be surprised how many corks this drummer/lead singer has to fill them. His emotional belting in “Monster” alone warrants the albums notice. So while there are some hang ups, and this album wanders a bit, The Almost, still carry out an album that you should check out, even if you might drop it soon after. ~Staff

Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:
1. Monster Monster
2. Lonely Wheel
3. No I Don’t
4. Hands
5. Young Again
6. Summer Summer
7. Hand Grenade
8. Books and Books
9. Souls on 10
10. Want To
11. Get Through
12. Monster