MR. BUNGLE

Out of the three albums this magical avant-garde band released, this is sometimes the most overlooked. Sadly, too, because it is equally as strong as the other two, and often I find myself enjoying it more. It is just as experimental as Disco Volante, though not quite as liquid or explicitly so. It has a genuine outrageous, spastic, disastrous, bizarre, monstrous, insane atmosphere. But, despite these crazy qualities the music deserves, it is extremely enjoyable, and the jazzy side to the album is so addictive. The experimental nature does not spoil this experience, as it sometimes does elsewhere, but makes the jazzy sections so refreshing.

The ridiculous vocals from now-legendary Mike Patton are incredibly varied. It's like an improv Jim Carrey skit: and all his silly voices recorded and imitated. The concepts of the songs are as varied, but likely a bit crazier. Background voices, and recorded spoken word add a sometimes strange, sometimes psychedelic mood. Like Zappa, this band manages to combine ridiculous comedy with complex writing, powerful playing, controversial/insulting subject matter, experimental disposition, and a really, really memorable and tasty jazzy side. Musicianship is noteworthy, but while listening to the album, you will most likely not notice this, as all the instruments mould together to create a single sound, and it is tough enough to keep your head around what's going on in the front-ground to be thinking about each individual instrument.

Never has an album, Zappa or Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, encompassed so many different genres under its hood(And neither can they shift so quickly from style to style!) The only albums that come any where near are Mr. Bungle's two other releases, both equally strong. It ranges from lounge jazz, to carnival music, to videogame music, to techno, to downright experimental, to death metal, to standard funk rock. It's amazing, and surprisingly baffling, to hear the entirety of this album. Although it is painful for the ears, completely revolting and absurd, you will constantly be coming back for more, and find yourself day dreaming about the outlandish compositions, and the swiftly shifting tempos. Totally non-commercial, one hundred and fifty percent unique, and wholly perplexing, Mr. Bungle is a nightmare put on CD: and I love it. However, sometimes it is a little bit overwhelming, and too violent and insulting, though still very interesting. Try it and decide for yourself.