Spine of God

iTunes Review

Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf takes stoner rock to its most extreme, reveling in the freakout factor and writing lyrics that retain a genuine authentic power, even with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The album has been remastered over the years; some of the original lo-fi sludge has been transformed into something resembling higher fidelity without losing the primitive appeal of the original mix. Wyndorf's vocals wrap around the lyrics like he's spending time on another planet, while the guitars buzz with hints of Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, and The Stooges. "Medicine" blurts like a long-lost track by Blue Cheer. The cover of Grand Funk Railroad's "Sin's a Good Man's Brother" spotlights a Detroit band often overlooked with the passage of time. The humor is laced in tracks like "Pill Shovel," "Medicine," and the resplendent "Nod Scene." The title track buzzes with a blacklight intensity. This edition of the album features a demo version of "Ozium" that illustrates the pure psychedelic beginnings of one of the heaviest bands of the '90s.