Customer Reviews

Chocolate & Cheese

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

1994's "Chocolate & Cheese" is arguably Ween's finest moment in their career. You may be a little puzzled with Ween's unique brand of music if you've only heard albums such as "GodWeenSatan: The Oneness", "The Pod", or "Pure Guava". Those are their earlier album, which are masterpieces, but very much like "Mr. Bungle" or "Captain Beefheart", material like that can be kind of hard to swallow at first listen, or it might scare you away. The love for their earlier albums will come with how you feel about this album, or one of their more recent albums. The first time I heard "GodWeenSatan: The Oneness" I didn't like it; now it's my favorite Ween album (actually, all of their albums are too great to pick a favorite). After I heard "Chocolate & Cheese" I was hooked; and after getting into "The Mollusk" immediately after, the only way I can describe Ween to anybody that asks me about them, is that they're the greatest band on earth.

"Chocolate & Cheese" provides so much variety, that it is sure to hook you like a fish, no matter what your tastes may be. They have amazingly witty and unique songwriting. The vocals go from high falsetto notes, deep rumbling tones, Spanish vocal tones, country vocal tones, and an insane amount of vocal filters; all conveying that Ween is one of a kind from the get-go. Although Gene and Dean both play guitar, Dean tears it up on lead guitar, throwing in solos and stylish riffs throughout the album. All of these traits shows that Ween has true talent that is easily understood shortly after the album begins. Those of you that have heard albums like "The Pod" or "Pure Guava" can understand why a first time listener would dismiss Ween if they are scared off by songs like "Reggaejunkiejew". Another thing that makes "Chocolate and Cheese" more gettable at first listen is because it has a very classic rock feel to it. It is obvious that much of the guitar playing and vocals are influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Queen, Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen and Prince.

The reason that people love Ween so much is because you can't nail them down on a single genre or style. They may be labeled as Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Lo-Fi or Comedy Rock, but they are much more multi-faceted than that (they even made a country album). Their music varies so much from album to album, let alone song to song. There moods vary as follows: Giddy, Ironic, Quirky, Rollicking, Freewheeling, Humorous, Raucous, Messy, Rousing, Rowdy, Trippy, Fun, Wry, Campy, Witty, Silly, Irreverent, Sprawling, Meandering, Uncompromising, Indulgent, Enigmatic, Gleeful, Reckless, Druggy, Joyous and Playful.

Some standout tracks include "Take Me Away", which has a classic rock feel to it, the creepy, but funny "Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)", the falsetto soul flavored "Freedom of '76", the crazed stomp of "I Can't Put My Finger on It", the psychedelic, but chill "A Tear for Eddie", "Baby Bitch" a wry and weird song about an ex-girlfriend, the very creepy "Mister Would You Please Help My Pony?", the pseudo-country style "Drifter in the Dark", "Voodoo Lady" the only song you probably heard in a movie before (Road Trip, Dude, Where's My Car), the epic story-telling "Buenas Tardes Amigo", the silly "The H.I.V. Song", and the British psych-inspired "What Deaner Was Talking About".

There. How can't you give Ween a shot after all that. ^^^

I just got Quebec and it reminded me of a funny Ween related story (one of many. just kidding). Back when the olympics were in Atlanta, my granpa bought some tickets to scalp, and drove from L.A. all the way to Georgia. The trip got pretty boring, so they grabbed the only tape they could find in the car. It happened to be Ween's Chocolate and CHeese, that I had left days before. Apparently they listened to it repeatedly, hour after hour. THey came home singing "Buenas Tardes Amigos" and "Joppa Road", wanting to know who was behind this masterpiece of an album.
If this isn't a testament to the univeral beauty of Ween, I don't know what is.

At first it's easy to dismiss Ween as a novelty act. With crazy lyrics and a galaxy of bizzar effects, Ween comes off as a goof, nothing more nothing less. Yet, as you delve deeper into the complexity and sheer song writing talent of Dean and Gene Ween (not their real names) you begin to realize that these guys are musical geniuses, pure and simple. "Chocolate and Cheese" explores an entire catologue of music genres. From the soulful "Freedom of '76", to the funky "Voodoo Lady", to the trippy "Tear for Eddie" to the silly, yet enchanting "Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony". I'll admit I was sceptical at first, knowing nothing of Ween except the insane "Push Th' Little Daisies" video I had seen a few times on MTV. After a few listens I began to realize what a musical masterpiece this album truly is. Any serious music fan would be doing themselves a favor by purchasing this album.

Deconstructing and reassembling more musical genres than ever before, Ween prove that they can evolve from rambling like lunatics on a Tascam recorder to rambling like lunatics in a professional studio atmosphere without losing their special touch. The greatest thing about the brothers Ween is that they can ramble on about the most bizzare & twisted crackpot ideas while having a keen sense of humor, too. Because "C&C" is also an eclectic mix(or de-mix) of funk, alternative rock, 70's prog rock, Philly Soul, acoustic pop, Prince-style bubblegum pop, folk, Cowboy-drifter ballads, "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly" inspired Spanish folk, and their own offbeat style, it is one of the best of their collection to get if you want to try them out. Once you have heard it, you will want to dive deeper into their world, and get all their other albums...except maybe "12 GCG" and "White Pepper" which lack their creativeness. If you do choose to get those, make them the last on your list (You might even want to get the rare, cassette-only independent 80's releases before those two). All in all, this is a great album.

This is not only the best Ween album, but the best CD I have ever heard. Go ahead -- laugh, scoff even. But it is not only musically untouchable, it is a satire so biting, it leaves even the most stoic listener breaking into a smile. Also, the best live band around. If you have any sort of musical taste of sense of humor at all, this sill be the best buy you have made in a long time.

This is definitely the finest piece of music released in the '90's, and perhaps the best CD ever!! While I must admit a statement like that puts Ween in comparison with some of the greatest bands ever, it is deservedly so! By releasing this album, the brothers Ween have proven, without a doubt, what unbelieveably diversified musicians they are. The first five songs on this album prove this point. Song 1: "Take Me Away" shows a very stong, rock 'n roll side of Ween, it has an awesome bar band sound to it that rocks. Song 2: "Spinal Meningitis" is a very soft, eerie, thoughtful song that isn't exactly uplifitng but once again shows the diveristy that is Ween. Song 3: "Freedom of '76" Is a fabulous song that has a smooth, velvety feel to it, the lyrics are sung with such beautiful soul, it is great. Song 4: "I Can't Put My Finger On It" Is a classic weird Ween song that will grow on anyone who listens to it, an instant classic. Song 5: "A Tear for Eddie" Is a fantastic, melodic, instrumental song that takes the listener to a very nice place. This album is purely a magical experience, a little slice of musical brillance that is not widely known of in the world of "popular" music. Every song on this CD is a masterpiece of music making, I would strongly suggest this CD to everyone and anyone. With such strong critics as Henry Rollins supporting the Ween movement, and bands such as Phish covering their tunes, Ween will soon one day take over the universe of stale, boring music that we seem to be currently bogged down in!!!

Strangely, the production values on "Chocolate & Cheese" were turned up many notches. Now, Ween sounds like an actual band as opposed to two stoners with a drum machine and a 4-track. Luckily, their humor is still in tact.

The band flies through genre after genre on this 14 track effort. There's lounge rock ("Take Me Away"), smooth Philly soul ("Freedom of '76" - and yes, Gene Ween has a surprisingly good falsetto), Pink Floyd-like psychedelia ("A Tear for Eddie"), Spaghetti-western epics ("Buenos Tardes Amigos"), lush soft rock ("Joppa Road"), cheesy 70's pop ("What Deaner Was Talkin' About"), and country/folk ("Drifter in the Dark").

Wait. There's more. "Roses Are Free" is one of the best Prince pastiches ever; It's a wickedly catchy pop song that sounds straight out of the "Around the World in a Day"-era. And "Voodoo Lady" is part funk, part disco, part pop, with a little Caribbean flavor thrown in. It's a classic.

And, the album wouldn't be complete without Ween's own brand of gonzo, tasteless (yet hilarious) pop songs such as "Spinal Meningitis", "Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony", "Candi", "The H.I.V. Song", and the Middle Eastern-tinged "I Can't Put My Finger On It".

Some people may have been disappointed in Ween's sleeker sound, but it's hard not to love "Chocolate & Cheese", because it's clear at this point that they're getting really really good - both musically, and at writing catchy pop songs.

I've been a big Ween fan for years, and I love this CD. The songs all have the same weird sound effects and computerized voices, but they're also a lot more pleasing to listen to than some previous Ween CD's, like Pure Guava or God Ween Satan. A lot of people that I've introduced to Ween did not like them, saying that the songs weren't pleasant to listen to and that is was "bad music". Although I personally really like them, I can undestand why they might have that opinion. This CD proves to them that Ween really does know how to make good music, that you can enjoy listening to. "A tear for Eddie" is a beautiful song. I would reccomend this CD to any Ween fan or anyone that hasn't heard Ween yet, this is a great example of Ween's talent.

Glorious. Horrible. Demented. Beautiful. This was the moment when WEEN hit on all cylinders...and exploded. What more can be said? This is one of the best records ever, no kidding. I love everything they've ever recorded, but this is the best.

Although I have "owned" a few Ween tunes over the past few years, this was my first legitimate album purchase. How did I like it? If it's any indication, I have bought Pure Guava and Quebec within two days of each other - thats 3 albums in under a week! I haven't gone on this kind of music binge since...well, ever. I feel like my ears have been asleep for the last 10-15 years, just waiting for some band like Ween to remind me why I listen to music at all. This, like any other Ween album, will take a few spins before the listener falls in love - but it will happen, friend. Save your lunch money and start buying Ween. It is easily good enough for the mature musical tastes out there...maybe too good for a few.
I can ramble on about this one, but do yourself a favor and add it too your cart. IT WILL INVARIABLY FAIL TO DISAPPOINT.