R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 10/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a soundtrack of dreams, which seems more surrealist than futurist to me, as surrealism aimed to incorporate subconscious desires into waking life. Pattonheads beware, this sounds more like a John Zorn album than Mr. Bungle, let alone FNM! The musicians are top-notch -- Zorn on sax, Marc Ribot on guitar, Erik Friedlander on cello, William Winant on percussion, and Patton on "voice, sound effects." There is not much vocalizing, let alone singing. Patton is the composer, and contributes musique concrete effects, plus some vocals on a few tracks. The resulting music is uncategorizable -- "I Rumori Nutrienti" features slow, mellow sax over the low rumble of an airplane engine, which is surprisingly relaxing, and "Latte Alla Luce Verde," with vocalizing, sounds like lovemaking.
If you like the paintings of Salvador Dali or Max Ernst, if you like John Zorn, especially his THE BIG GUNDOWN, the album of Morricone film score remakes, if you are open to the possibility of sounds that do not fit in marketing boxes, then you just might like PRANZO OLTRANZISTA!"
A great listen only for those of the avante garde sound.
William Defoe | 09/29/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This second offering from former Faith No More singer, Mike Patton is an album with an overall moody sound. Patton recreates a feel from an Italian anarchist cookbook, if you can imagine that happening. Patton composed the songs and performs on them with an all-star cast of friends and acquaintances in the hard rock and experimental jazz arenas. I would advise anyone who is a fan of patton's work with Mr. Bungle or anyone who is looking to broaden their musical taste horizons to purchase this album."
My personal favorite by Mike Patton.
Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 03/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before going any further, I want to make clear where I'm coming from-- I'm actually a John Zorn fan who became interested in Patton due to his work with Zorn. I think this makes me a rarity in the Patton world, and effects my opinion of his work somewhat. Having stated that, I can talk about this record a bit.
Its hard to discuss songs on "Pranzo Oltranzista", because the emphasis is not on the songs, instead, its really on the composition or even the performance in many ways. The pieces themselves are rather diverse, everything from cello/piano interludes mixed with screaming sax and voice, purely sound effects, jazz-ish pieces, more noise oriented instrumental performances, pseudo-ambient, etc. What the album lacks is the sort of conventional formats-- there's no songs per se, no real structure in that sense.
But what there is really is worth looking into-- the album is filled with an abstract beauty, and while some of it may not make sense at first (or fiftieth) listening, like much of John Zorn's best work, rewards will become apparent with repeated listens. When I first heard this, I wasn't sure about it, but given the list of musicians (Erik Friedlander, Marc Ribot, William Winant, and John Zorn, among the most brilliant at their respective instruments) with Patton, I did devote an appropriate amount of time to it. I've found quite a bit on this record that is truly brilliant, be they as delicate as "I Rumori Dal Apertivo", or have the heightened anticipation feel of "Scoppioningola", or the beauty mixed with explosiveness of "Carne Cruda Squarciata Dal Sunno Di Sassofono", or just the delicate ambient beauty of "Latte Alla Luce Verde" and organized chaos of "Bombe a Mano" juxtaposed against each other.
Yeah, its nothing like Faith No More or Mr. Bungle, or Fantomas for that matter, and its even nothing like Zorn's work, contrary to many comments, but its a unique record with a lot to offer. Give it a try, if it doesn't set in, put it away and try again in a couple months-- I think with relative open-mindedness and reasonable diversity in taste of music, this one will make sense."
Go to a different place...much different
Dracula D | a haunted waxwork in Pa. | 05/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is completely different than Mike Patton's first solo cd. Namely because this cd is NOT solo. There are other musician's here...just not your typical musicians. This cd is similar with his first in that it invokes a mood and a variety of moods and atmospheres, but maybe in a more traditional manner...but still not traditional.
The theme of a cookbook. Each song being a recipe. Imagine a darkly lit kitchen somewhere on the shady side of a city street, with a mad artist cooking, candles lit, and the sound of a jazz band playing in another room...that doesn't always play jazz.
You can hear the vegetables being chopped, the pans clanging, the water running, dishes breaking...all in mystery. It's definitely at night, it's definitely mysterious.
Once again, another album that cannot be background, although you could use this more easily as background in comparison to Mike's first cd. But this shouldn't be background. This needs to be focused on. What do you see as you listen? What do you feel? More importantly with this cd: What place are you being taken to?
John Zorn is playing sax on this cd. What does that mean, you ask? It means you will hear sax being played in a totally different way...as Mike Patton stretches the limits of his voice and the sounds of everyday life, Zorn stretches the limits of his saxophone.
This cd is much more accessible than Mike's first one to the average normal listener of music. This could more easily be called music. Mike is using his voice as an instrument here, but not as much as he did on the first cd. Mike is also using sounds here...but they're not reserved for outer space or some underground electronics club. The sounds seem familiar, yet not. I can't explain. You have to listen.
But call me crazy...you will notice something different here. As if this is a movie. A movie that you've never seen before, are very captivated by once it begins, and one that makes you shudder, intrigued, and pleased all at the same time.
I have not listened to many cds that can actually take you to another place. This one does just that.
If you really like this, get Mike's other band FANTOMAS "DELIERIUM CORDIA" cd. Another place to go to.