CD Review: Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Rocksteady (BIG Records) releases today

By ‘Rebel’ Rod Ames –
Anyone who happens to know me knows there is nothing I love more than listening to a great record. Live shows are great, but being able to sit in my most comfortable chair and cranking the sound up, with no crowd noise, no wait person asking if I would like anything else, etc. is the only way for me to truly enjoy a great band.

I recently received Big Head Todd and the Monster’s latest advance, “Rocksteady”, and man, is it a beaut! Each track left me anxiously awaiting the next track, creating a flow from track to track that is left out of production values so much of the time, so kudos first off to the band for instilling this value in the production of this fine record.

For those not in the know, Big Head Todd and the Monsters are Todd Park Mohr on Guitar and vocals, Rob Squires on bass, Brian Nevin on drums, and Jeremy Lawton on keyboards, lap steel guitar, and backing vocals. The band has remained intact for many years and there cohesiveness shines through.

The band went into the studio and recorded over 30 tracks so more can be expected in the future from this extremely versatile band.

As always with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, you get a smorgasbord of music ranging from reggae to blues, to rock, to whatever the hell else he feels like playing. That’s one of the many things I love about the band, and especially this little gem.

The record starts out with the title track, “Rocksteady”, penned by Todd Park Mohr along with just about every track on the record, except for “Beast of Burden” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and “Smokestack Lightning”, written by C. Burnett.

Every song on the record is great. This reminds of the days when bands such as Steely Dan were putting out albums and you didn’t really even have to listen to it before you bought it. You knew it was going to be quality shit. This is just like that. Every song seamlessly leads us into the next and the listener is never ever disappointed.

“Beautiful”, is going to be, or already has been released as a single and has ‘hit’ written all over it, if radio stations around the country will play it! I’ll be starting my own radio show in a couple weeks or so, and you can bet your sweet ass you will hear it on my show, along with various other tracks from this superb new record.

Those mainstream cats scare me though. They don’t give anything fresh and new a try. They like to stay in their safe and certain little cocoons where chances are never taken. God that must truly be a relentlessly mind-numbing existence.

This album, however, could break that barrier. I see no reason in the world why it should not go platinum. It’s that good.

To hell with me though. See for yourself and go purchase this record. If you don’t completely get caught up in this brilliant little gem, I’ll be shocked. Look for it in stores today.

‘Rebel’ Rod says check it out. You’re going to love it.