Faith No More
"The Real Thing"
1989, Slash/Reprise
The breakthrough album by one of the greatest hard rock bands of the past 20 years. FNM's overall sound was very metallic, but they laced it with funk (a thousand times better than the Chili Peppers), pop, and a few novelty covers (including a lounge version of the Dead Kennedys' classic "Let's Lynch The Landlord"). Thus, FNM was eclectic and hard to categorize, which is why their music hardly ever sounds dated-- it's nearly impossible to tell what decade it came from. "The Real Thing" is FNM's best album and one of my all-time favorite CDs. It simply rocks the house. "From Out Of Nowhere" blasts off like World War 3, and right behind it are "Epic" (awesome video!), "Falling To Pieces", and the Korn-killing "Surprise You're Dead!". The CD only drags during the extend title track, but the brain-shattering cover of Sabbath's "War Pigs" more than makes up for it. And females will also like this CD, particulary "Underwater Love". Oooh yeah...i can almost see the girl of my dreams whenever that songs plays.
RATING: 10, baby!
"Angel Dust"
1991, Slash/Reprise
In the wake of their previous smash hit, FNM wanted to avoid crossover success and just do their own thing. "Angel Dust" takes a while to get used to, but there are several songs that sound great on the first listen. The wacky "Be Aggressive" and "A Small Victory" display the classic "uncategorization" which made FNM one of the coolest bands of all time. "Midlife Crisis" rocks with Chili Pepper attitude, but with better vocals. And the novelty cover of the "Midnight Cowboy" theme song is another "make-out moment" =). However, there is a significant amount of filler on this CD, which is why I don't play it often. For those whose ears have yet to fornicate with the pleasureable sounds of FNM, you're better off buying "The Real Thing".
RATING: 7.5
"Songs To Make Love To"
1993, Slash/Reprise
4-song EP that sounds good at first, but wears thin after a few listens (what'd you expect from only 4 songs/). Includes: a cover of "Easy" (the Commodores), new song "Das Schutzenfest" (goofy song sung in German), "Midnight Cowboy" (from "Angel Dust"), and the lounge cover of "Let's Lynch The Landlord". Pretty good, overall...just don't pay more than $5.99 for it.
RATING: 6.5
"Album Of The Year"
1997, Slash/Reprise
The members of FNM never got along well with one another, but it never became obvious on their recordings until now. "Album Of The Year" pulls in so many directions that it almost sounds as if all 12 songs were performed by 12 different bands, including: a punk band ("Got That Feeling"), a "new metal" band ("Naked In Front Of The Computer", "Mouth To Mouth"), and a veteran arena-rock monster ("Ashes To Ashes"). Despite the vulgar diversity, there are a bunch of decent tracks. However, like "Angel Dust", lots of filler abounds. footnote: FNM broke up about a year after this CD hit the market, and i was able to attend one of their last concerts EVER.
RATING: 7
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