Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Killer concept album, Sponge's best..., June 1, 2003
The fine art of a concept album was all but forgotten in the nineties, until Sponge unveiled this masterpiece on the public who (criminally) didn't seem to care. That is very unfortunate because "Wax Ecstatic" is easily some of the best music to come out of the drab mid nineties. The lyrical concept is certainly a strange one: the death of a drag queen. Not all the songs seem to fit the formula, but the vast majority do. The lyrics can be explicit at times, but never do the churn the stomach. By the time Velveteen comes around you'll find yourself feeling sorry for the transvestite protagonist, trust me. The music on this CD is diverse and a great leap forward from the nondescript grunge rock of "Rotting Pinata"."My Purity" rocks with the sheer attitude and abandon of a Guns N' Roses song, with much better vocals of course. The title track is another standout with a catchy guitar hook dominating the song. "I Am Anastasia" is a highlight, as is the Bowie-influenced "Silence is Their Drug". "Have You Seen Mary" should have made the boys in Sponge veritable stars, but thanks to the poor marketing Columbia gave this album, it's just another highlight in an album full of them. The final 1-2 punch of "The Death of a Drag Queen" and "Velveteen" are emotional highs, the former being a gruesome tale of a late night murder and the latter being a heartfelt memoir, as well as the obvious choice for the album's best song. After Velveteen, there's an amazing hidden track that rocks on par with the rest of the CD. Why it is unlisted I don't know. Don't let the crazy concept prevent you from purchasing this CD, you'll be missing out on some truly classic music. "Wax Ecstatic" stands as Sponge's crowning achievement and is a testament to the perils of the record industry. The music is certainly catchy enough for radio and high quality enough to please any rock fan and keep them coming back for more. Pick up this forgotten gem and tell all your friends to do the same. You won't regret the money spent.
|
|
|
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best "Concept Album" of the 90s, May 8, 2001
When the band conceived of this album, they presented it to the record lable as a concept album entitled: "Death of a Drag Queen." The label recoiled in horror--a rock 'n roll group eulogizing queers? Rock is synonymous with heterosexuality and testosterone, which has never been in short supply from these Detroit-based rockers. But Vinny and company had a vision. They updated West Side Story, and suffused it with the Broadway play RENT to create a modern day musical of epic proportions. Even this writer, a dyed-in-the-wool heterosexual, finds himself deeply moved by the poignant love story that emerges as the plot unfolds with each successive song, albeit with a gruesome and tragic ending. If you're not reduced to tears by the song "Velveteen," you don't have a romantic bone in your body. Notwithstanding the record label prevailing in changing the album's title, the underlying leitmotif remains. The one oddity on this album is the song "Have You Seen Mary." Released at the same time Joan Osborne was topping the charts with Eric Bazilian's "One of Us," Sponge's "Mary" was cast from the same mold--"Mary" is the mother of Jesus, and she now lives in a trailer park; an unwed mother suffering the indignities of growing old, living alone and being impoverished. Neither the band nor the record label came forward and copped to the meaning behind "Mary." It would have boosted the album to the top of the charts simply from all the Christian fans, and parents wanting their kids to gravitate to something "wholesome" in a musical ocean of prurient hip-hop songs polluting the airwaves. But truth be told, the record label didn't "get it," and the band is too modest to grandstand in support of its art. Perhaps that will give you insight into the depth of this band's writing abilities--these guys (especially Vinny) are collectively one of the best rock bands ever, in terms of musicianship and being the best at the craft of lyric writing. This album could one day end up on Broadway, displacing RENT, as Wax Ecstatic is far superior as an artistic statement, and will assume a more noble position in the annals of popular culture. Buy this album because you love good rock music; buy this album because you are hungry for something that will nourish your soul, and warm your heart as it opens your mind at the same time.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
defineitely worth your while, March 12, 2003
there are four excellent songs here. the first three (my purity, got to be a bore & wax exstatic) are amazing songs. anastasia is also a great song. thick guitars, great rhythm section and amazing grooves, especially in got to be a bore. great production as well for this album. on wax exstatic (the song) i love it when the guitar solo kicks in. it is the perfect balance between hearing the lead and yet still hearing the other instrments. i can hear the drums, bass and guitar holding a great groove as the lead blows me away. GREAT stuff!!
as for the slower stuff, it is good. i think the louder stuff is more vibrant and holds stronger songwriting but still, death of a drag queen is a terrific moody song as is drag queens of memphis. there are some great songs here and this is one band that made one great album in wac exstatic. i have to check out some of their other stuff.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by Sponge 
