Let’s start off by saying that Aaron Gillespie is a crazy maniac genius. When he’s not touring with Underoath, he’s touring with the Almost. When he’s not co-writing with Underoath, he’s writing his life story with the Almost. Who does this man think he is: superman? Well, he’s come pretty close.

After 2007’s release of his solo effort Southern Weather, Gillespie has expanded his solo dream into a full band with Monster Monster. It seems as if Monster Monster jumps right off where Southern Weather ended. It keeps the aggressive charge that Southern had, except Gillespie’s voice sound stronger. Not to mention, the Almost is now a band rather than a one man dream.

The album’s first single “Lonely Wheel” brings honest lyrics and a powerful chorus. (Not to mention, the video has a great CONCEPT.) Gillespie’s voice is much complimented by “dirty” guitars from Jay Vilardi and Dusty Redmon. It seems that these guys put a lot more thought into how each song was composed. “Lonely Wheel” has potential for radio play with how catchy it is, especially in the chorus.

The guys slow it down a bit with “No I Don’t”. It’s been said that they channel some Reliant K with this track, but Gillespie’s voice sounds so much more control than that of Reliant K (no offense). It’s not that I don’t like Reliant K, it’s just there’s no comparison to this NEW the Almost sound.

Possibly the catchiest song on the album, “Hands” is “not afraid to make big mistakes”. It contains hand clapping, a cute piano riff, and gang vocals. What else could they be afraid of? This song was the first to appear on their myspace but wasn’t their “lead” single.

Unlike Southern, Monster brings musical diversity with “Young Again”, “Summer Summer”, and “Hand Grenade”. “Young Again” has this guitar backbone that’s so fitting for Gillespie voice. In this song, you can clearly tell that Gillespie is the drummer on this record. (Kenny B. used to be the drummer, but left before the No Gift To Bring EP came out last winter.) “Summer Summer” has a classic rock tone (complete with a STRING sound!). “Hand Grenade” has a bit twang to it, pull of cliché lyrics you’ve always wanted to see work.

“Books and Books”, “Souls On Ten”, and “Want To” don’t stand in comparison to the first half of the album. They’re a bit forgetful, but still enjoyable. Maybe I’m a bit biased since I really do enjoy the Almost, but it’s a forced-like on these three songs. “Get Through” jumpstarts the album, while “Monster” closes it out. “Monster” is one of my favorite on the album and reminds me of “Amazing Because It Is” but with a kick of attitude.

Monster Monster is certainly a punch into their former shell of Southern Weather. The Almost seems to have found their hook as a complete band. It’s so clear that Gillespie has worked through his whiney tone and straightened out his voice more professionally. There was a huge rush of excitement when I got my EP in October when I saw the code to get my Monster Monster copy. The rush of excitement followed until the end of this album. Monster Monster delivered with a bite fit for only a Monster.