Description: Originally released by Ween's own Chocodog label, SHINOLA VOL.1 is the first in a series of rarities collections by the ever-wacky Pennsylvania-based duo. Here Dean and Gene Ween's giddy, genre-hopping sound careens from distorted lo-fi ditties (the biza
Amazon.com: Ween have never been accused of taking themselves too seriously. Music, on the other hand, is serious business indeed for the New Hope, Pennsylvania duo. As their career stretches into its second decade, they have a rabidly devoted fan base, no more ties to a major label, and a body of work that marks the most significant contribution to psychedelic music of the last ten years. In part this is because they don't hew to a limited definition of "psychedelic," making music that is trippy without being hippy. Over nine albums they've explored a music store's worth of genres with accomplished song craft and instrumentation, which can include anything from a drum machine to Elvis Presley's backup singers. In Shinola Vol. 1, a collection of songs left off other albums, the "brownest" strains of Ween's oeuvre are on proud display. "Brown" is the code word Ween uses to describe music that's warbly, pitch-shifted, and plain strange. The stompy, squirty opener "Tastes Good on the Bun" falls into this camp, as does the astral travelogue "The Rift." Elsewhere Ween's gleeful, Saturday morning cartoon side surfaces in "Boys Club," begging the question of when exactly they'll join Danny Elfman and Mark Mothersbaugh in writing music for movies (their occasional gigs for Nickelodeon and their disastrous collaboration with Pizza Hut notwithstanding). Their reverence of Prince is felt in "Monique the Freak," which contains what have to be the dumbest lyrics in the Ween canon. And "Gabrielle" could make it past even the most vigilant customs agent as a rare Thin Lizzy track. For a collection of odds-and-sods, Shinola Vol. 1 stands up remarkably well with other albums like The Mollusk and Quebec. Bring on Vol. 2. Hail Boognish. --Ryan Boudinot
So They CAN Release A Less-Than-Spectacular Collection! Okay, I just learned this CD is full of outtakes, and that explains a LOT. I just recently got into Ween, and it took me like an avalanche of pure joy. I gave up hoping bands still existed that were diverse, fun, funny, and brilliant all at once. That's so 70s. I got White Pepper and was floored. I quickly purchased and devoured Chocolate and Cheese, The Mollusk, and Pure Guava. Still craving more, I obtained Quebec and La Cucaracha. Incredible! Then along came Shinola, and I was like "what?" Obviously, even Dean and Gene have standards, and it's painfully obvious why these songs were not part of earlier releases. There are a few absolute gems, and everyone will find their favorite; for me it's "Gabrielle" where the Weeners ape one of my all-time favorites Thin Lizzy in a most convincing way. However, on the bulk of cuts, the ideas are either not that fun, not that developed, or not that brilliant. Still, even mediocre Ween is better than a lot of music out there today. So, I guess this one's for the true fan only, probably not a good choice for those just getting into this remarkable duo of zany stoner 4-track magicians.
Gem After Gem After Gem. As many people have said: This isn't Chocolate & Cheese, nor is it The Mollusk.
Although it isn't any of those, it doesn't make it any better or worse. It's just... different. I think the main reason these songs weren't included on any albums was because they didn't fit in (Yes, even these genre-jumping fools have SOME connection throughout each album,) not because they were no good.
"Tastes Good On Th' Bun" sounds like something they'd have done during the GodWeenSatan period. It's a nice riff with funny vocals... Still holds me throughout, even if it's just one line repeated over and over. "Boys Club" is much like "YMCA," only it's intentionally funny. It's good at first, but it becomes one of the weaker tracks. "I Fell In Love Today" is sweet and has a nice melody. I love it. "Big Fat F**k" sounds like it came right out of Pure Guava, and is another repeated line over and over.
"Gabrielle" is a great, strong rock song - Verse, chorus, b-section, everything. "Did You See Me?" is pretty much authentic progressive rock, very Pink Floyd like. "How High Can You Fly?" is another prog-rock song, but less epic; though there is a great melody. "Transitions" has one of the greatest guitar riffs ever, I think, and perfect arrangement. It's catchy, too. "Israel" is insanely catchy, and it's a cute track. I love it. "The Rift" reminds me of The B-52's, a bit, and it's a good song, but you must be in the right mood to listen to it.
"Monique the Freak" is the ultimate funk-rock parody, and it's amazing. It's epic. It's my favorite along with "Someday," which is quite possibly the prettiest thing they've ever recorded.
I don't understand why people are so hesitant to like this release. Maybe it's just because I'm into novelty as well as fine music. >_> There is not a single weak track here (Aside from "Boys Club") and I like it more than White Pepper. =P
this is NOT a five star album This is not a bad album. I'm giving it two stars to offset all the 5 stars on here. In my opinion its really a 3 star, which means most of it is okay, a couple of really good songs, and a couple songs you'll skip over. But, everyone giving this album 5 stars has to remember what that means - 5 stars means music can't get any better, do you seriously think this is one of the best albums ever made?
Land of the misfit toys Outtakes? Leftovers? Not quite.
This record has a lot of great songs; well-produced, well-written tracks from the brothers Ween. As far as I can tell, the only reason why they weren't included in other albums would be that none of them seem like they would `fit' in the context of anything previously released. Solid songs from start to finish. They're the kind of songs that Ween has always been great at-- Infectious, creative, reminiscent of something you may have heard before, but can't remember where or when.
Good album, worth getting, esp for ween fans I really like this album. Some songs I love. I Feel in Love Today is downright great. Gabrielle is pure Thin Lizzy, almost bettering it. Monique has some sweet guitar play and overall funk. Tastes good on the Bun rules too (totally Pod era). There is no bad song on this album, although I usually might skip some (Isreal, etc). Worth getting most definetly, but maybe not better than WP or Quebec.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
