Up next on the chopping block is Faith No More. Now I’m sure like most, their first time hearing them was that song Epic and the video for it was always on MTV. So anyway, let’s take a look……..
We Care A lot- alright so the first album kinda has that funk rock sound going for it. This is the first album to have Chuck Mosley on vocals (I didn’t know they had another singer). A sort of fun fact is that on the original Lp the band is called Faith. No More. Thought that was kind of interesting. I don’t know, I got kind of bored with this one. Chuck Mosley’s vocals tend to drag and get kind of monotone. Overall, this is an ok album. I give it 7/10
Standouts: Greed, The Jungle, Pills For Breakfast
Introduce Yourself- this one seems like a continuation of the last album. I’m not sure what it is about this album but this one seems to be a little more cohesive. Chuck Mosley’s vocals are a lot better on this one and the production is also a lot better. There is even a re-recorded version of the song We Care A lot which is also used as the theme for that show Dirty Jobs. This is also the last album with Chuck Mosley. Definitely a step up from the last album and I give this one 8/10.
Standouts: Anne’s Song, Chinese Arithmetic, Blood
The Real Thing- if you were to ask what FNM album to start with, I’d definitely say this one. This is the first album with Mike Patton on vocals and the band definitely come,out the gate swinging. There is something here for everyone. Now I have heard the band being described as a one hit wonder but that’s just not true. Clearly those people who think that have not heard the rest of the album. There is even a cover of War Pigs and it’s pretty good. Definitely check out this album. I give this one 10/10
Standouts: Surprise! You’re Dead, War Pigs, The Morning After
Angel Dust- I’ll admit when I first heard this record I didn’t really care for it. I think that’s because I really enjoyed Real Thing and thought it wasn’t as good. Listening to it again, my opinion has changed. I think it’s a pretty worthy follow up. In some ways it’s a continuation of the last album and in some ways, it isn’t. Mike Patton’s vocals aren’t as “nasally” on this one and this album and the last one really show his range. Overall, a very good follow up just not quite as strong as Real Thing but regardless I’m going to give it 10/10
Standouts: Caffeine, RV, A Small Victory
King For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime- this is a very interesting record to me. It’s interesting because it’s kind of all over the place but in a good way. This record is a mixture of funk, jazz, punk, and hard rock. It’s a really cool record that’s worth checking out. One thing I’ve learned about Faith No More records is that they are very diverse records. Definitely give this a spin. I give it 9.5/10
Standouts: The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies, Get Out, Digging The Grave
Album Of The Year- I feel like at this point, the band seemed to be running out of steam. There just seems to be something missing on here. Not sure. It just didn’t grab me like the others before it had. I know that during this time Mike Patton was doing stuff with Mr. Bungle and was absent for a lot of the recording so that probably had something to do with it. I don’t know this album is slower and kind of boring. This would also be their last album for 18 years. I give this one 6/10
Standouts: Naked In Front Of The Computer, Mouth To Mouth, Got That Feeling
Sol Invictus- I guess you could call this a reunion album. I mean it’s their first in 18 years. I think I remember when this came out, people on the internet were all excited for a new Faith No More album and I think they even headlined Coachella that year (2015). I was hoping for a continuation of say Real Thing or even King For A Day but sadly this doesn’t happen. I’d say it’s like Sol Invictus with a little bit of King For A Day mixed together. I don’t know I was kind of let down by this one a little bit. It’s not bad but I was expecting more. Overall, it’s just ok. I mean I’ve heard worse albums that have had long gaps in between (see the new Tool album). Worth a listen but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. I give this album 7/10
Standouts: Separation Anxiety, Superhero, Rise Of The Fall
When it comes to Faith No More, I think that there is something for everyone. If you like punk, they have punk songs, if you like jazzy and weird, they have that too. Overall, I think Faith No More has a very unique and interesting catalog. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing them this October as I’ve heard that they put on a great live show. Mike Patton is definitely one of those vocalists that extremely diverse. Definitely check their albums out and you can see that they are more than just that one song Epic.
Final Grade: B
Album Rankings:
- The Real Thing
- Angel Dust
- King For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime
- Introduce Yourself
- We Care A lot
- Sol Invictus
- Album Of The Year
Sinister Reviews 