What would be a good album or two to start with?
What would be a good album or two to start with?
definitely don't start with The Pod, it's a good and very unique album but I think it'll give you the wrong impression of what the band was actually about - I think most people would find it actively frustrating or obnoxious (I would say the archival release Live at the Cat's Cradle is a far better representation of the band's "brown" years)
the other two are great however - The Mollusk was my first thought if you're a prog guy, not only their best album period (if you ask me) but also the one most in line with the stuff you probably already like. Quebec is my second favorite, it's a bit drearier and odd, but the best songs on there are absolutely stunning. Otherwise, I think Chocolate and Cheese and Shinola (a compilation of unreleased tracks, but whatever) are the two that will give you the best sense of the band's scope. Many Ween fans will tell you however that live is the best way to hear the band (hard to argue with that), so maybe pick up Live in Chicago while you're at it!!
Critter Jams "album of the week" blog: http://critterjams.wordpress.com
My ex-wife used to love them.
"Improvisation is not an excuse for musical laziness" - Fred Frith
"[...] things that we never dreamed of doing in Crimson or in any band that I've been in," - Tony Levin speaking of SGM
Chocolate and Cheese, Mollusk, White Pepper, Quebec.
I'd do them in that order (chrono) but it probably doesn't really matter.
IMO, these are the only Ween albums anybody but hardest-core fan needs (they're probably also the most accessible), but they've got a number of other albums out there if you get hooked. Mollusk is the proggiest of the above four. Chocolate and Cheese is the funniest. White Pepper is the slickest.
I surely don't find The Pod frustrating or obnoxious but I have a high tolerance for oddness - the first album I heard was God Ween Satan (Scott Thunes made me listen to it) and I freaking loved it. Many classic songs on The Pod too. On the other end of the slickness spectrum, White Pepper is a truly gorgeous record.
ween's LPs give a wide range of what they did, but for me The Pod is the core of what Aaron and Mickey is: completely stoned psychedelia made in a vacuum of their own logic. before they had a DAT, before they had band behind them
it IS their most lo-fi so I can see why that would turn off some folks here. and it IS a double LP so there'a a lot of material and bits.
but Quebec is most def their masterpiece
Chocolate And Cheese. If you don't like that you probably won't like their other albums either (but who knows).
The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off
The Mollusk is their best album, no question.
Zravkapt - not so sure about using Chocolate and Cheese as a litmus test that way - I was nonplussed by it at first listen because it seemed relatively conventional after the unrestrained weirdness of the first 3 albums (although I dig the hell out of it now). Since the OP is named after an FZ tune I'm assuming he won't be put off by some serious strangeness
To me The Pod is the only album that interests me. On that record, they just did whatever, true art rock stuff.
But once they became a band and had a following, then it became something else, probably because of some kind of expectations. Eventually it morphed into just a noise rock band with 1990's anti musical ethos.
The Pod is a really great listen because it was just so honest.
The rest of their catalog would be best for frisbee golf.
So yes I am a fan, but no I am not a fan. Probably the highest compliment to Ween!
I borrowed a cd by them from the library a few years ago. I don't remember the name of it but I think it was one of their more recent ones. There were some rather unique things on there and it certainly wasn't typical of either jam or indie rock. You could say they were progressive in some ways but certainly not what I would call prog. Very interesting band though. They are actually from my general area but I've never seen them live.
Do not suffer through the game of chance that plays....always doors to lock away your dreams (To Be Over)
Absolutely love them. Very likely my second favourite band (after Cardiacs) and similarly alienating to those that don't get it. Those that hate them really do hate them
The Mollusk is probably the best starting point with it being one of the greatest albums ever, but if you fall for them the way some do you'll likely end up getting everything anyway. Second the live in Chicago rec, but my favourite of their live cd's might be the live in Toronto album with the country band.
Saw them in London in the early 00's followed by Mr Bungle the day after. What a weekend that was
Last edited by loosefish; 01-27-2015 at 06:59 PM.
Oh, and The Pod is an excellent record, but starting with that one is ill-advised unless you enjoy claustrophobic bedroom experiment music that sounds like The Residents on downers.
I forgot to add this to the ween discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NjalkBq01o
I saw one of these at a New Year's Eve party at the old Brookridge ween house in Lambertville, with Andrew Weiss and En Esch from KMFDM playing in the band. they played the LP of Meddle and at the stroke of midnight paunched right into Echoes. one of the greatest things I've seen
they've done this Echoes bit over the last 20plus years and generally a couple times a year at parties and local festivals. always cool as hell to see
"The Mollusk" is Ween's progressive rock album.
Have eight Ween albums, but not The Mollusk. Should probably fix that.
Also don't have 12 Golden Greats either now that I think of it.
Never saw them live which is probably inexcusable.
Bookmarks