*** Monster Magnet

POWERTRIP

(A&M)

For my money, Monster Magnet's space rock has always been more hype than hip, but dang if they don't kick out the jams for real on Powertrip. Written by Magnet auteur Dave Wyndorf in Las Vegas and recorded in Los Angeles, the 13-track effort recycles garage riffs (13th Floor Elevators-style on "19 Witches," Seeds-ish on the title track, Strawberry Alarm Clock-cheesy on "See You in Hell"), blues metal ("Space Lord"), and cosmically tinged Detroit-cum-Seattle grunge ("Tractor," "Atomic Clock") to craft an indictment of American excess. An ironic twist, indeed, given Wyndorf & Co.'s own tendencies toward more for more's sake.

But Wyndorf doesn't seem to give a shit -- whether he's affecting a characterization on "Bummer" or not, he's crafted (at 7:35) one of the year's most indulgent, demonic, kick-ass rock-and-roll epics. "Some people go to bed with Lucifer/Then cry when they don't greet the day with God," he snarls. "I know life's a bummer, baby/But that's got precious little to do with me." On Powertrip, high camp, lame social criticism, and unforgiving rock force are all brought together with the bitterest intent. And it's absolutely stunning.

-- Mark Woodlief