I know I’ve been doing a lot of these anniversary posts lately, but with this album I just couldn’t help it. It’s one of the most brilliant, crazy, wacky, deep, insane and any other adjectives in that realm of an album. It’s truly in every sense not like anything else that’s ever been released. And as time goes on the album ages better and better. Who knew if the members of Mr. Bungle knew that they were creating genius or not. But one thing is clear, the album is truly lightning in a bottle.
From ‘Sweet Charity’ to ‘Goodbye Sober Day.’ I dare anyone to find an alternative rock album so insanely diverse. And I don’t even know if ‘alternative rock’ is the right term. Actually, I’m not sure if there’s any term for what comes out of the speakers when the album is played. The Hawaiian influences on the album make it an instantly recognizable record. The third song, ‘Retrovertigo’ is such a goosebump raiser in it’s five minutes of beauty. I suppose it could count as an alt rock ballad. But it’s got the classic Mike Patton take on the genre mixed with Trevor Dunn’s sensitive songwriting. Not to mention Patton’s unreal vocals. ‘The Air-Conditioned Nightmare’ is a piece that combines many of the elements of Mr. Bungle. Inventive transitions, heavy/punk influenced moments. Mike Pattons vocal harmonies are brilliantly layered on top of one another. With the classic, Spanish overlay that’s sprinkled throughout the album.
‘Ars Moriendi’ is a centerpiece of the album. It’s hard to define exactly what the peak of the album is, which is why I used ‘a’ instead of ‘the.’ But this is one of the defining tracks on the record. Its middle eastern tropes are apparent throughout. But it’s the combination of that and alternative, progressive rock that makes the the track truly unique. Every note is chaotically and meticulously placed for maximum effect for each moment of the track. Similar to how classical music geniuses operated. ‘Pink Cigarette’ has a fun, crooning vibe. It’s clear once you get to this track that the album is appropriately titled ‘California.’ But then in true Mr. Bungle fashion, they throw a major curveball. ‘Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy’ actually has a very classic Mr. Bungle vibe. Probably because it’s written by Trey Spruance (guitars and engineering). What many people call ‘circus rock/metal’ is upfront and center on this bizarre, alt rock track. But it’s as catchy as it is bizarre. It’s hard not to nod your head in a spacey, goofy fashion. Similar to the mood of the piece. And that’s one of the great effects of the album.
‘The Holy Filament,’ next to ‘Goodbye Sober Day,’ may be the most ambitious song on the whole album. Even though it’s such a different track from ‘Goodby Sober Day.’ It’s a Trevor Dunn track so there’s a similar vibe to ‘Retrovertigo,’ the other Dunn written track. Dunn also contributes music to the next song ‘Vanity Fair.’ An old school doo-wap sounding track with slight industrial offbeat rhythms. But all the songs pale in comparison to the absolutely, other worldly brilliant ‘Goodbye Sober Day.’ The Clinton McKinnon (Saxaphone, horns and keys) and Mike Patton collaboration on the music is unmatchable. Taking a bong rip and turning it on while you go up is an experience like no other. There’s about six to seven different genres of world music happening in this song. All leading to this nu metal breakdown that crushes your head into the wall. And the middle eastern vocal harmonies that come before open the mind into what modern music really can be.
Overall it’s a hell of an album. A truly different kind of masterpiece. Of course, what do you expect from these high school buddies from the bay area? Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, Trey Spruance, Danny Heifetz and Clinton McKinnon created something that is so out of the ordinary, yet accessible and enjoyable that it will forever gain traction. To this day more and more fans discover the album and it’s brilliance. And that deserves a celebration. What are some of your favorite tracks on the album?
