As we know, the year is 2009. In this case however, it was 2007 when beloved nerd, ‘college radio’ saviors of elder, Ween released their tenth studio album, La Cucaracha. A duo of immense eclecticism, their catalogue brimming with awkwardly catchy, dry-humored, and beautifully annoying numbers, Ween here steadfastly stay true to their ironic aesthetic as on the classics GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990), The Pod (1991), Pure Guava (1992), The Mollusk (1997), and the latter Quebec (2003). Yet while Ween’s songwriting and music remain consistent in that they apply a near scorched-earth method towards an album’s progression rather than a linear trajectory, the lo-fi, nerdy, stoner ballads of yore, have here hatched into a more adult, comedic, and high-quality nature.
Around the time of this record’s release and since, duo comedy groups such as Tenacious D and Flight of the Conchords have gained their respective spotlights, writing songs that in disposition and spectrum, resemble Ween greatly, and although one must take this record with a grain of salt and not dwell upon similarities to groups Ween had little or know knowledge of when completing La Cucaracha, the likeness and overall record must be dissected with similitude in mind. Upon hearing this album, subject and styles abound, I was struck far more with the corroding, irritating jokiness of say, a father’s corny comedy that gradually wears down one’s sanity and patience, hereby negating any gems or good deeds done by the perpetrator.
The album initiates forth powerfully with the Latin flavored, horn & distortion instrumental “Fiesta”, and proceeds through several gems such as “Blue Balloon”, and “Friends”, the latter what I had imagined and desired for of Montreal’s Skeletal Lamping, prior to it’s release and my disappointment. As the record continues, country, reggae, chunky grunge metal, and cheese-ball ballads come left and right, some truly enjoyable, others quite disposable. The upper echelon is comprised of “Object”, “Learning to Love”, and “Shamemaker”, while the mysterious untouchables that I feel still haven’t really decided themselves in my mind are “My Own Bare Hands”, “The Fruit Man”, “Spirit Walker”, “Woman and Man”, “Sweetheart in the Summer”, and “Lullaby”.
While these racks too cover a gamut of styles, their shear silliness compromise the greatness of not only the other tracks, but prior records as well. Yet herein lies the genius of Ween – the geen-ius, if you will- in that through this shameless, self-destructive, style-copping craft and approach to songwriting, their creativity and freedom are never hindered therefore allowing even the repellent, ridiculous numbers, to be beautiful on some incredibly repulsive level (think Krispy Kreme donut, or a Dodo bird in flight). Ultimately, Ween have upheld truth to their ethics on La Cucaracha. Although it is no Pure Guava, or Mollusk, they’ve ‘done it again’ in that even the songs that were truly abhorrent, will be inconveniently stuck in my head for weeks, and once more irony’s beautiful reign remains supreme.
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Track Names
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Fiesta
Blue Balloon
Friends
Object
Learnin’ to Love
My Own Bare Hands
The Fruit Man
Spirit Walker
Shamemaker
Sweetheart
Lullaby
Woman And Man
Your Party
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Artist: Album
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Ween: La Cucaracha
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Genre
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Alternative & Punk
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More Information
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http://www.ween.com
http://www.rounder.com
http://www.myspace.com/ween
