The Monks – Black Monk Time
I guess you could say that The Monks suffer from what I call “Velvet Underground Syndrome” in that very few heard them during their time, but everyone who heard them was inspired to create similar music. This classic garage rock group has been said to be influential to everyone from The Fall (who covered several songs from this album) to the Beastie Boys. The only album from 4 American GI’s in Germany, Black Monk Time was one of the first great sonic freakouts in popular music, filled with absurdist lyrics, political protests and the first use of feedback for musical purposes, as claimed by singer Gary Burger (who later went on to become mayor of Turtle River, MN). Everything about this album seems to work together to create a classic: Gary Burger’s howl, the splashes of fuzzed-out guitar burstst, the proto-Krautrock rhythms, songs to get stuck in your head for days. Thank God this album is being reissued by Play Loud! Productions, this is something everyone should hear.
-Max
Thanks for sharing this–I have no idea how I missed them over the years, but can’t wait to check this record out!