Search - Ween :: Shinola 1

Gem After Gem After Gem.

Acdir | Livermore, CA. | 12/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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"

So They CAN Release A Less-Than-Spectacular Collection!

J. Wilson | Somewhere between Venus and Mars | 11/16/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Genius

Mark Tree | 12/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"if you only have one ween album or think you could only handle having one ................ this is it !!!!! genius!!!!!!"