Two Bit Monsters Explained

Two Bit Monsters is singer-songwriter John Hiatt's fourth album, released in 1980. It was his second of two albums with MCA Records. It failed to chart, and MCA dropped Hiatt. "It Hasn't Happened Yet" would be a minor country hit for Rosanne Cash, from her album Somewhere in the Stars. Cash also covered "Pink Bedroom", on Rhythm & Romance.

Critical reception

The Boston Globe wrote that "Hiatt's effort is strong, angry, and intelligent... He is not content to sneer, rather, Hiatt is one to ridicule and condemn."^[1]

Track listing

All tracks written by John Hiatt, except where noted

1. "Back to Normal" – 3:18
2. "Down in Front" – 3:22
3. "I Spy (For the F.B.I.)" – 2:41 (Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, Herman Kelley)
4. "Pink Bedroom" – 2:53
5. "Good Girl, Bad World" – 3:14
6. "Face the Nation" – 3:07
7. "Cop Party" – 2:54
8. "Back to the War" – 3:28
9. "It Hasn't Happened Yet" – 3:22
10. "String Pull Job" – 3:22
11. "New Numbers" – 3:02

Personnel

• John Hiatt – guitar, vocals
• Howard Epstein – bass guitar, background vocals
• Shane Keister – keyboards, organ, piano
• Darrell Verdusco – drums, background vocals

Technical

• Denny Bruce - Producer
• Mark Howlett – recording, mixing
• John Van Hamersveld – photography, design

Notes and References

1. News: Allan . Marc . Records/Reviews . The Boston Globe . 24 July 1980 . Calendar . 1.