Faith No More - Angel Dust
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Free Music Notes for Angel Dust
Free Music Review: The Best Album I Own
Hit: 5 Stars
Unlike most people, I bought Angel Dust before The Real Thing. Before I bought it, I saw the 100+ rave reviews for this album on Amazon. This is the only album I have ever bought without hearing a single note of music from. But when I heard it I was very impressed. Angel Dust has grown on me ever since my first listen. I then bought The Real Thing by Faith No More and California by Mike Patton's other band, Mr. Bungle. The first thing I noticed after listening to the entire album was how Mike Patton has so many voice styles. Near the end of the first song, "Land of Sunshine," he sounds like an opera singer. On songs like "Caffeine" and "Smaller and Smaller" he belts out some pretty demonic screams. Then on tracks like "Kindergarten" and "Be Aggressive" he shows off his rapping ability. And on heavier tracks like "Malpractice" and "Jizzlobber" his voice reaches near death metal roar. On "RV", he sounds like Tom Waits. And on "MidLife Crisis" he exhibits a sort of growl/rap. The musicians in Faith No More are also good. The guitarist Jim Martin is not bad although his riffs are a bit simple. The bassist, Billy Gould is very good and plays a little bass solo in the song "Kindergarten". The keyboardist, Roddy Bottums uses his keyboard to create an environment and a mood for the music. And the drummer, Mike Bordin plays unique tribal rhythms which are also quite complex.
Every song is good. Here is a rundown of the album tracks:
Land of Sunshine: This is a strange yet very enjoyable song that incorporates a thumping bassline and some lyrics that were taken from a Scientology questionnaire and fortune cookies. There are also occasional outbursts of mad laughter from Mike Patton. A
Caffeine: This is one of the heavier songs. It is opened up by monkeys. It contains the only real swear on the album. This song was conceived during a sleep deprivation experiment. Though it is harsher than most of the album's songs it is still good. A
MidLife Crisis: I loved this song on first listen and I still love it. It has a strange style of rap in the verses and a soaring melodic chorus. Great song. A+
RV: This is a song about white trailer trash. It is backed by a piano and has amusing or disgusting(depending on how you look at things) lyrics. Quite catchy. A
Everything's Ruined: This song starts out with a piano and moves into a great song that is about a boy who is "counterfeit". The story is told from the view point of the boy's parents. One of the best on the album. A+
Malpractice: This is the worst song on the album. It's still quite good but is not up to par with the rest of the album. I like the mellow part of the song a lot though. It also has plenty of time signature changes and has lyrics about someone who likes having a surgeon's hands inside his or her body. B+
Kindergarten: This is a rap/rock song. It has a bass solo and a cool keyboard melody. Patton's shows he is also a very good rapper. Great song and probably the best of the album. A+
Be Aggressive: This song is about oral sex and was written by Roddy Bottoms not Mike Patton. The cheerleader chorus is very catchy and the rapping is good. Another great track off the album despite its sexually explicit lyrics. A+
A Small Victory: This is a song with oriental keyboard melody. It is also very enjoyable. I believe this was one of the singles off Angel Dust. I can tell why FNM chose it. One of the best on the album. A+
Crack Hitler: This is a disco type song about a crack dealer who thinks he is Hitler or something like that. The guitar effects are quite impressive. There is something that sounds like a Nazi march in this. The song sounds like it's from a spy movie. A
Jizzlobber: This is probably the most intense on the album. It sounds quite dark. Sounds almost like Korn (who were influened by FNM) at times but it is a hell of a lot better. It is the longest on the album and clocks in at around 6:34. It is also one of the best. A+
Midnight Cowboy: This is a peaceful, serene cover of a movie's theme music. Contrasts greatly from the chaotic "Jizzlobber". Good album closer. A
This album is a musical journey that can change your mood with each song. I really have no idea why it was such a "failure". It is the best Faith No More album and is the best Mike Patton album I have heard so far. If you don't own this you should go buy it. Listen to it with an open mind.
Free Music Review: Insanely inventive and influential
Hit: 5 Stars
Faith No More. Three words guaranteed to provoke some sort of response, either a numb-brained "oh yeah, the hip-hop metal band", or an informed "the very eclectic gentlemen musicians". Having garnered an international reputation on the back of 'The Real Thing', the pressure was on the band to deliver an album of literally stadium proportions. And they did, but with a superbly oblique sense of humour, and an amazing mastery of melody. Starting with the sinister circus dance of 'Land Of Sunshine', complete with fortune-cookie/Church of Scientology lyrics, and ending with an inspired cover of the theme from the film 'Midnight Cowboy', Angel Dust never once ceases to amaze and enthrall in equal measure. Mike Patton (without doubt the most talented vocalist of his generation ; how many opera singers can also do grindcore growls?) displays his supremely capricious style with a personality unique to music, and it would be a fair assessment to say that Faith No More would be half the band they are without his prodigious creativity. Not to take away from their collectively fantastic musicianship, but Mike really brings the songs to life. 'Caffeine' displays the then-revolutionary song structure taken for granted these days by the 'nu-metal', but none of the new faux-psychos (the nearest would be Corey from Slipknot) can quite match Mike's unnerving appeals to 'relax, it's just a phase', nor can they open up such a song into the multi-dimensional masterpiece that it is. But Caffeine is nothing compared to the following track 'Midlife Crisis'. Quite simply genius. Mike gibbering his lyrics over a classic FNM keyboard line, with a suitably hypnotic drum tattoo and bass line underscoring Jim Martin's 70's riffs succeeds in constructing a timeless song for the ages. The epic sounding 'Smaller and Smaller' incorporates Native Indian chanting alongside Beavis and Butthead laughing in perfect harmony. The poppy sounding 'Everything's ruined' gives a chart single with a social conscience. 'Malpractice' bears the distinctive mantle of being one of the few songs in the world that incorporates almost every kind of music in the world into a sub-4 minute song about a patient's fetish for having surgeon's hands inside her body. Quite how they managed this considerable feat only proves their vast abilities. 'Be Aggressive' charts the progress of a homosexual act, except that there is a cheerleader chant in the background, which you will be humming to yourself for days. 'A Small Victory' yields yet another potential single, complete with Michael Jackson-esque whooping scattered throughout. The James Bond stylings of 'Crack Hitler' could really be used as the soundtrack to a spy film, and the lyrics have nothing to do with drugs, except for the spoken word bit near the end. The last FNM song on the album, 'Jizzlobber' is a truly psychotic work, with frenetic keyboards playing around the processed riff, and Mike giving it hell with some seriously powerful vocal work. Metallica fans will notice the similarity between the middle bit of this song, and 'One'. As either an ode to masturbation, or just celebration in general, it ends with a camply-epic orchestral finale, truly a Faith No More moment. The albums influence on later bands (particularly the so-called 'nu-metal')was immeasurable, but in terms of quality it is far in excess of any of them. Some called this Faith No More's final classic moment, but as much as I agree that it is a classic, FNM were consistent to the bitter, yet paradoxical end. It's a damned shame that they are gone. The world will be a less fun place without them.Free Music Review: If you can only own one Cd, This is It. No Not The Strokes..
Hit: 5 Stars
FAITH NO MORE. The absolutely most influential and important hard rock band of the last 20 years, this is their greatest work. Angel Dust is the most amazing thing I have ever heard and the only album that can even come close is AiC's Dirt. Korn ripped them off. Disturbed ripped them off. Mushroomhead made an entire CAREER off one of these songs (check out "Jizzlobber" and tell me that every song on Mushroomhead's "XX" doesn't sound exactly like it. I dare you.) Each band member is a virtuoso on their instruments, but Mike Patton is the real star of this recording. Effortlessly jumping from operatic wails to death metal growl to bouncy rap to hilarious hick spoken word to lounge singing, this guy is absolutely amazing. He sounds like a different guy on each song. Who the hell else can pull that off? Another key player is Billy Gould and his amazing slap bass. Roddy Bottum holds each song together with his awesome atmospheric keyboard and this cd definetely wouldn't work without him. Here's a rundown of all the tracks:1.) Land of Sunshine: Dominated by keyboards and Patton's signature singing style, this is an awesome way to start off the album. 10/10
2.) Caffeine: Awesome time changes and complete with a monkey chant in the beginning. Good, but one of the weaker tracks. 8/10
3.) Midlife Crisis: Sick Melody, cool rapping parts, awesome drumbeat. Definetely a good pick for a single. 10/10
4.) RV: Most people that own this cd hate this song but I think it's both hilarious and one of the stronger tacks. 10/10
5.) Smaller and Smaller: One of the more death metalish songs. Sick time changes and awesome screaming. 10/10
6.)Everything's Ruined: Never lets up and has an awesome keyboard. Has the best bassline on the cd. 9/10
7.) Malpractice: If there's a filler on this cd, (there's not), this would be it. 8/10
8.) Kindergarten: The CD is pure gold from here on out. Amazing song, awesome rapping. 11/10
9.) Be Aggressive: One of the Best. Sick cheerleader chorus, awesome keyboard parts, and some pretty twisted lyrics. I SWALLOW! I SWALLOW! 12/10
10.) A Small Victory: Amazing. 10/10
11.) Crack Hitler: YES! TOp 3 songs of the cd, this one has it all. The only other track that comes close is....
12.) Jizzlobber!!!!: Best Riff, Awesome Vocals, and inspired another awesome band single handedly( in my opinion, Mushroomhead). 13/10 ( 13/10 for Crack Hitler)
13.) Midnight Cowboy: Sick Theme 10/10
I just can't say enough about this cd, you need it. absolutely. If you listen to any form of rock music, you can at least appreciate this. Some complain that it is too dark and inaccessible, but I disagree. If you buy FNM's cds in the correct order, you can crack 'em. Many say you should buy "The Real Thing" first, but I'd go with King for A Day. Not only will wading through this make Angel Dust instantly listenable, you'll also appreciate "TRT" more. Buy in this order: "King for A Day, Fool for a Lifetime", "The Real Thing", "Angel Dust", and then "Album of the Year". And if you like these four, try to find FNM's older album with Chuck Mosely as lead singer (introduce yourself). The two greatest hits and live collections are only for die hard fans, and if you can find the s/t be sure to pick that up. Everything Mike Patton touches is pure gold, so if you like FNM also check out: Dillinger escape plan, Tomahawk, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Peeping Tom, Maldoror, and all of his solo albums. Angel Dust is perhaps the best album ever made, and you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't pick it up right now.
Free Music Review: High Point of an Excellent Band
Hit: 5 Stars
I started listening to Faith No More when i received their first album with their singer (Mike Patton). The real thing was a solid, funky, heavy, and overall great record. After digesting that album for a little while i decided to explore their later and less accesible work. After getting opinions and reading reviews, i concluded that most true Faith No More fans believe Angel Dust to be their finest work. I have come to Agree totally.The beginning of the record starts out with the dark and twisted, yet irresistably catchy tune of "Land of Sunshine". While this album tends to differ much from "The Real Thing", one factor is present from the start of this album; Mike Patton's flexible and amazing voice is in it's prime condition, topping his efforts on their previous album. He goes from his nasal pitched tone associated with the hit "epic" to the powerful bellow of what could be mistaken for an opera singer's in a minute's worth of time.
After the opener "Land of Sunshine" Faith No More experiments even further with the grinding number "Caffeine". Musical variety is even more present in this album than before. Also, the keyboardist, Roddy Bottum is employed for even more affectiveness.
There is almost always one standout musician in every band, and that award would have to go to the drummer, Mike Bordin. He lays down intricate and complex drum rythyms as if it was as easy as writing your own name. Faith No More would have never been the same if they had a different, less talented drummer in replacement of Mike. I hear he's working with Ozzy osbourne in conjunction with some ex-members of Alice in Chains. God bless them all.
I'll lay down descriptions for all the tracks:
1. Land of Sunshine. Funky and dark, a great opener and personal favorite.
2. Caffeine. Grinding and harsh, yet so great at the same time.
3. Midlife crisis. Not truly a "rock" song but more of a rambling with Patton employing his unique style of rapping backed by a funky basslien and softer-than-normal insturmentals.
4. RV. Weird, little piano-based ditty about some middle-aged fogey living in a mobile home and complaining about his abusrd problems. Wonderfully catchy.
5. Smaller and Smaller. A harsh foreboding number bearing resemblence to "Caffeine".
6. Everything's Ruined. Darker funk than the other three funky tracks (Land of Sunshine, Be Agressive, and A Small Victory)
7. Malpractice. A disturbing song that is more akin to the heavier tracks "Caffeine" "Smaller and Smaller" and "Jizzlober".
8. Kindergarten. Song about a guy who can't graduate from kindergarten. Strange and heavy, but more melodic than the four heavy tracks mentioned above.
9. Be Agressive. Funkyfunkyfun. Has a cheerleader chorus that will stick in your head like a tumor.
10. A Small Victory. Upbeat number about heaven knows what.
11. Crack Hitler. Sounds like something that came from a spy thriller soundtrack. Actually has really nothing to do with one of the most hated men in history.
12. Jizzlobber. Chaotic and heavy.
and out of nowhere comes... 13. Midnight Cowboy. Would belong well in a western film. Random, but great closer.
I love this whole album. It's one my only albums that I loved at first listen and has stuck with me the whole time. I reccommend getting "The Real Thing" first and letting your musical mind digest it for awhile before getting this odd, little masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Unique? Check. Flawless? Check. Underappreciated? Check. Rivals? Yeah, right.
Hit: 5 Stars
Leave it to the Mike Patton era Faith No More to strike a chord in the mainstream, and then give it the big middle finger. I absolutely loved The Real Thing, and even more so, loved watching MTV VJs flounder as they had to repeatedly play "Midlife Crisis", the first single from this album, despite thinking to themselves, "Ewwwww...this is dark! And gross! I don't like this!"
And thus was most of the mainstream's response to Angel Dust. Where The Real Thing promised a new wave of melodic weirdness, Angel Dust seemed to suggest that this band was actually...well...just on Angel Dust.
However, fans of music, and not simply trends, recognized and continue to recognize the absolute brilliance of this album. If you are looking for a good reason to pick this album up, I have over 190 that average out to give this masterpiece a five star rating; many written within the past year. This is a testament to this album's widespread appeal, and reassuring longevity.
In many ways, Angel Dust is The Real Thing on steroids, and the results are much like hitting an extra 35 homeruns a year: quite exciting and frightening at the same time. The riffs are better, the bass pounds louder, the drums accentuate the ever-so subtle tribal rhythms of this band better than before, and Mike Patton, possibly the most underrated influential rock musician of our time, displays such a range of feeling and technique that I simply cackle to near suffocation when I hear people drool over Mariah Carey's high-pitched squeal of limited emotion. I mean seriously, with his collaborations with the Root's Rahzel, the X-Ecutioners, Fantomas, The Dillinger Escape Plan, hip-hop underground producer extraordinaire Dan the Automator, and his Mr. Bungle and solo releases, Mike Patton has ever so quietly changed the face of progressive rock/metal, and the road began with Angel Dust.
This is an unclassifiable album, except to say it is one of the best ever. Incorporating maniacally perverse melodies (Kindergarten, Land of Sunshine, Crack Hitler), previously unheard levels of heaviness (Malpractice, Smaller and Smaller), and quirkiness that makes The Real Thing seem like an episode of 7th Heaven (Be Agressive, A Small Victory, and my personal favorite, the scummy jazz lounge-tinged ditty told from the perspective of a drunk trailer-park dad, RV) Angel Dust is a ride with, literally, non-stop thrills.
What Faith No More hit upon with this album is that rarely-attained holy grail of originality, catchiness, and timelessness. The production is so tight, with all songs building to near pandemic choruses. This feat is accomplished by carefully brewing the instrumental ingredients, and with swirling/twisted carnival keyboards, prominent and absurdly abrupt bass notes, crunchy, yet crystal clear guitar tone, tribal drumming, and the brilliantly schizophrenic vocal stylings, Faith No More were able to create a masterpiece which immediately calls to mind those works of art which will never be replicated. At the very least I can say that 13 years after its release, this is an album that I, and obviously many others, would call one of the greatest albums you could treat your ears to.