The Monks first album Black Monk Time was the only album they recorded. The album was released in 1966 and they disbanded a year later.
From the minute the first song “Monk Time” begins I am thinking is this from the 60s. The music sounds like it comes from a later time period. It reminds me of Einstürzende Neubauten a German band I discovered in the early 90s. They played with custom-built instruments, predominantly made out of scrap metal from a junkyard and other noises. I saw them in concert. It was amazing.
The Monks are way ahead of their time. The singer reminds me of punk singers and the music of electronic music and the band Devo. I think I love it. I am listening to this and thinking I missed an album from the 80s, but this is from the mid-60s.
This album is considered to be one of the first punk albums, but I think it is the first of many things that came much later. The Beastie Boys have praised the album along with other artist. I cannot believe this is not more widely known.
The music is incredible, but it lacks lyrically, especially in nonsensical songs like “Higgle-Dy-Piggle-Dy”. Actually most of the songs lyrics are ridiculous, but who cares when the music is incredible. 8/10.
an ocean roars 