MR BUNGLE

MR BUNGLE
CALIFORNIA (1999)
320 KBPS

Some would say this is Mr. Bungle's most normal album. But really, what does that mean? In the world of Mr. Bungle, "normal" is a relative measure. A "normal" Mr. Bungle song might still be the craziest music you've ever heard. On California, the songs maintain the backbone elements of Mr. Bungle: wacky lyrics, insane hops from style to style, and all around weirdness.
"Ars Moriendi" is pure aural insanity. What kind of song brings together Arabian melodies, gypsy music, and grindy speed metal? Why, a Mr. Bungle song, of course! This is one of their craziest songs ever, and will sit well with fans of the band's zanier moments. How about "Pink Cigarette"? With lyrics like, "Your kiss...touches everything but me," you might think this is an emotional, sad song. NEVER! Mr. Bungle waxes the cheese big-time, with Patton's emotional histrionics and the melodramatic orchestrations being far from heartbreaking. I love it; it's amusingly cheesy because the band obviously knows it's cheesy. Patton even makes fun of the turgid "ahhhh" backing vocals that were prevalent in the 50s and 60s. This band is the best.
Mr. Bungle has been accused of not knowing the value of a song, but their versatility never ceases to amaze and they definitely know how to compose. "The Holy Filament" is a bombastic new age piece with exquisite keyboards and very lush orchestrations that ooze grandeur and magnificence. It's very...unlike most of the band's work, but it fits because there are no rules in Mr. Bungle's game. "Goodbye Sober Day" throws Balinese chants, lounge music, and thick-azz metal into a blender with acid and serves up a smooth mix. Maybe because "Sweet Charity", "Retrovertigo", and "Vanity Fair" are some of the most streamlined songs the band has done, people call this one normal. Still, "None of Them Knew They Were Robots", "Golem II", and "The Air-Conditioned Nightmare" are more Bunglian weirdness.
California belongs in your collection if you like your music endearingly strange.

1. Sweet Charity
2. None of Them Knew They Were Robots
3. Retrovertigo
4. The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
5. Ars Moriendi
6. Pink Cigarette
7. Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy
8. The Holy Filament
9. Vanity Fair
10. Goodbye Sober Day

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