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Mr. Bungle - California CD (album) cover

CALIFORNIA

Mr. Bungle

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

4.11 | 244 ratings

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moreitsythanyou
4 stars Where's my halo? There's my halo!

There are some albums that are a blast to listen to. This is one of them. There is no need to focus on the intricate details of any meaning of this album because knowing the track record of Mr. Bungle, there probably isn't one. This is a delightful compilation of songs. Consequently, each song is like a delightful compilation of...well... whatever Patton & co. feel like. This album is a diverse romp of genres, influences, instruments, it really is so interesting to just listen to it. Now I'm not the biggest fan of Bungle's earlier work, but I find this to be an exception because it's very musical. Patton's vocals actually get the chance to shine instead of being just another piece of noise contributing to the whole. However, its the band as a whole that gets this album really going. The best example thereof is the phenomenal combination of jazz, swing, and metal known as None of Them Knew They Were Robots. The Air Conditioned Nightmare is another highlight, bringing back the surf rock that is so desperately missing in modern times but with the general light-hearted weirdness that makes the band so appealing, mixed with what seems to be some seriously depressing lyrics. Of course, the focus shifts right to the wacky and zany melodies and it says there throughout the album. This album features truly experimental songwriting, but it's not overbearingly avant-garde to the point where it's beyond recognition as melody, atonality, or any other musical combinations of sound. Bungle strikes a happy medium this time, releasing their unique, genre-bending creativity to form a CD that is pure entertainment, fun, and enjoyment. Really pushes the envelope, but not too hard that the letter inside it gets damaged.

moreitsythanyou | 4/5 |

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