Category Archives: Suspended Animation

Suspended Animation

THE MONKS – Suspended Animation

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Richard Hudson and John Ford had been the rhythm section for folk-rockers The Strawbs for four years (penning their 1973 hit ‘Part Of The Union’ before forming Hudson-Ford where they continued their hit career with ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn’).

Going back to basics in the latter part of the seventies, they became The Monks and recorded the new-wave hit ‘Nice Legs, Shame About The Face’.

‘Suspended Animation’ was the band’s second album and it went platinum in Canada.

Tracks like ‘James Bondage’ and ‘King Dong’ showed that they had not lost their senses of humour – or their outrageousness with lyrical content (just check out ‘Slimy Gash’ one of the half dozen bonus tracks).

This much sought-after album has been unavailable since 1999, but here it is totally remixed.

Nice songs, shame about the hits.

Martin Hutchinson, Bolton News (January 2009)


Of their two albums this, the second one, is the best amalgamation of the veterans’ humorous facet…

www.dmme.net (January 2009)


With a slight new wave feel to proceedings, the album includes highlights such as the reggae tinged opening track ‘Don’t Want No Reds’, title track ‘Suspended Animation’, ‘Cool Way To Live’ (there is something very The Darkness about this one!!) and ‘Oxford Street’ which has a Dylanesque opening which gives way to a much more upbeat track. The band even pays homage to Hank Marvin in the instrumental ‘Space Fruit’.

Nikk Gunns www.getreadytorock.com (February 2009)


Of their two albums this, the second one, is the best amalgamation of the veterans’ humorous facet…

www.dmme.net (January 2009)


With a slight new wave feel to proceedings, the album includes highlights such as the reggae tinged opening track ‘Don’t Want No Reds’, title track ‘Suspended Animation’, ‘Cool Way To Live’ (there is something very The Darkness about this one!!) and ‘Oxford Street’ which has a Dylanesque opening which gives way to a much more upbeat track. The band even pays homage to Hank Marvin in the instrumental ‘Space Fruit’.

Nikk Gunns www.getreadytorock.com (February 2009)


Angel Air have done an exemplary job; the album looks and sounds great, and fans will appreciate the six bonus tracks…

Record Collector (April 2009)


This is the remastered, 6 bonus track, re-release of Richard Hudson and John Ford’s 1980/81 of the same name…a blast from the late 70′s and early ’80s…

Classic Rock Society (May 2009)


Led by former progrockers Richard Hudson and John Ford, the band wore its Britishness like a badge of honor, imbuing the songs with thick accents, Cockney slang, sneers and some quite right quirky hooks – all this filtered through jagged guitars, reggae grooves and a healthy dose of sarcasm.
Check out ‘Suspended Animation’ and ‘Don’t Bother Me – I’m a Christian’ for proof. Great stuff.

Jim Kaz, AMP (USA) (April 2009)

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