Description
Monstor is an album by the American alternative rock/post-punk band No Laughing Matter, originally independently released on cassette-only by Worthless Records in 1989. The album was recorded at The Edge of the Earth with the band producing. Mixed by Rafael T. Carmany at Chaton Studios in Paradise Valley in Arizona.
No Laughing Matter is Scott Roman on vocals, Ted Worthless on guitar, Rod Glaze on bass, and David A. Blomgren on drums.
This one is more like a CD re-issue than a new release, simply because it’s nearly a year old and hardcore alternative collectors have already begun to look for another Worthless Records release by these edgy Arizona rockers. But this R.E.X. debut is new to most of us – and worthy of serious consideration – SO, here goes.
This is what Michael Delaney wrote about No Laughing Matter’s ‘Monstor’ in his Tapping the Underground review last summer: “Pre-‘Monstor’ material is characterized by thrashy, repetitive walls of sound for punkish ranting and wailing. On ‘Monstor’ Scott Roman wails a lot, but he actually sings as well. There are more discernable melodies, and synths can actually be heard over the gnarly guitars Ted Worthless tortures. The dark, often doleful soundscape provides an eerie backdrop for vocal broadsides that afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. What I appreciate about these 11 songs most is their transparency and honesty. If something sucks, they say so.”
What was true of ‘Monstor’ then is true now. No Laughing Matter is a rugged, gritty band, sending out intelligent diatribes of metaphorical power in music that demands we take it seriously. Unfortunately, the CD mix has not been up-graded and intensified when transferred to digital for re-release, so what sounded compelling and edgy on my car stereo 10 months ago, lacks bite on my living room CD player. That does not negate the strength of the material, which is superior in every way, from composition and performance to poetic intent and even, gasp, theological reflection. However, it sure would be nice to hear these tunes pumped out in a better mix, which only a bigger budget makes possible. [Brian Q. Newcomb (with M.D.), Harvest Rock Syndicate, Issue 2, 1991 (Volume 6)]
Yes, this album was later released on CD. This is the original tape version, with a different cover. As far as I can tell, they didn’t really make any changes between the tape and the CD. But I still like to transfer tapes like this just in case they did tweak some things. Plus, tapes from this time period sound fuller than the CDs did – you can hear this one on BandCamp and notice that the mix is a bit thin in early digital form. That was really a product of the time. This album still holds up well as a classic dark underground alternative rock album. I would love to see this one remastered on vinyl, but that is probably not realistic. [Christian Tape Underground, March 2, 2019]
Cassette tracklist:
Side One
A1. “CF10”
A2. “Bad Blood”
A3. “Monstor”
A4. “If the Truth be Known”
A5. “Lifeline”
A6. “You See It All”
Side Two
B1. “Helltown”
B2. “I Can See It Coming”
B3. “Frail And Thin”
B4. “I Need Your Touch”
B5. “Tuesday’s Child Awakened”
Note: Re-issued on cassette and CD by R.E.X. Records in 1990 featuring new cover artwork. Available at Bandcamp: https://nolaughingmatter.bandcamp.com/album/monstor
Monstor, R.E.X. Records Edition, 1990
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