After Jolson, spindly monarch shows alternative approach (7,8)
I believe the answer is:
lateral thinking
'alternative approach' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'after jolson spindly monarch' is the wordplay.
'after jolson' becomes 'lateral' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'spindly' becomes 'thin' (similar in meaning).
'monarch' becomes 'king' (king is a kind of monarch).
'lateral'+'thin'+'king'='LATERAL THINKING'
'shows' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lateral thinking that I've seen before include "Creative activity" , "Problem solving using an indirect approach" , "Intuitive reason" , "Problem-solving technique" , "Creative way of solving problems" .)