Audio Quality: 4/5
Song Quality: 4.25/5
Packaging: 2/5
So, Ween is the kind of band that's really hard to explain. Listening to everything they've ever done is the only way to understand the scope of their insanity / genius. Think "They Might Be Giants on acid" and that'll give you an idea. Some of their records are more abstract than others, and for a brand new listener, I would usually recommend Chocolate and Cheese. This, on the other hand, is one of their most bizarre efforts, and it is definitely not for everyone. In fact, this is maybe the trippiest LP I own.
Sometimes it feels like Gene and Dean Ween are going out of their way to get people to hate them. On this record, even their most pop-based stuff features enough bizarre
instrumentation, squealing feedback, and affected vocals to scare off any casual listeners. The most accessible of these songs would be "The Stallion Pt. 3," "Reggaejunkiejew," "Don't Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy)," and, of course, "Push th' Little Daisies," which was a minor hit for the band. On the other side of things,
"I Play It Off Legit" and "Mourning Glory" are just nuts. Completely nuts. A characteristic of this record specifically are the vocal tracks, which are heavily processed (a Ween trademark) and are almost always whispered or mumbled over the music at such a low volume that it makes you wonder whether or not the band actually wanted you to hear them.I admit that it took me some time with these songs before I came to appreciate the greatness beneath the surface. However, if you're the sort of person who can appreciate the music of The Flaming Lips, Frank Zappa, and They Might Be Giants, all at their absolute weirdest, then this is a record that deserves to spend some time on your turntable. You might never come out loving every song on this record, because I certainly don't. However, with some time and open-mindedness, you can find a lot to love in tracks like, "Touch My Tooter," "The Goin' Gets Tough From The Getgo," "Pumpin' For The Man," and let's not forget "Poop Ship Destroyer," which really embodies everything I love about the spirit of Ween's music.
The sound on this record is good. Slightly better than good, in fact. It's not a gorgeous recording, but if you're at all familiar with this album, you'll understand that it's simply not possible for this album to sound "gorgeous." It sounds nasty... at times maybe even disgusting. Not nearly as bad as The Pod, which I find to be completely unlistenable at times, but it's definitely not made for an audiophile. It was made by Ween, at home, with a 4-track tape recorder. The vinyl cut of this record sounds pretty nice, revealing some aspects of tracks I hadn't noticed before. What I like the most about it is that it sounds a bit more natural in vinyl form. It was recorded to tape, so hearing it played back on the turntable makes it sound more natural and "at home" than it does on CD. I'm pretty sure this is not a pure analog recording, as someone is credited as "Digital Editor" for the record. However, this record definitely sounds like it belongs on vinyl.
Packaging here is bare-bones at best. Just a slipcase featuring the front and back artwork, and inside is the single vinyl in a white sleeve. This record isn't cheap, roughly $25, so this is a little disappointing. Records like this should always come with a free download, at least. So boo to that.
I'd love to own more of Ween's catalog on vinyl... as it stands I've only got this and La Cucaracha. There's a version of Chocolate and Cheese floating around that usually costs around $35. That's too much for me. Come on Ween... let's see some worthwhile, reasonably priced re-issues happening.
Buy the LP from Chocodog (Ween's Merch Site)
Buy the LP from InSound.com
Tomorrow: Fall Out Boy - Folie à Deux
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