Strategem
was an unexpected failure, delivered exactly at the moment when
Big Head Todd & the Monsters
could have broken into the mainstream. With its follow-up,
Beautiful World
, the group regained their musical strengths, but at the expense of the
pop
songs that could bring them to a wider audience.
The Monsters
jam with an expert grace throughout the record, particularly with guests
John Lee Hooker
and
Bernie Worrell
, and producer
Jerry Harrison
helps keep things focused. However, the group neglected to write hooks, which means
is an album for the converted, not one to bring them a new audience. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine