Faith No More
Angel Dust


5.0
classic

Review

by Altmer USER (175 Reviews)
December 21st, 2006 | 2393 replies


Release Date: 1992 | Tracklist

Review Summary: An astounding record from a sadly disbanded band, completely illogical yet extremely comprehensive, its biting lyrics, awesome musicianship and Mike Patton's vocals make this one of the best, if not the best, records of the 90s.

For a long time I've been searching for a band with the ultimate vocals. A guy up front who really was The Real Thing. Who could release an Album of the Year. Who could act like a king for a day, but really was a fool for a lifetime. Who really cares a lot. And when all is said and done, and when his ashes were burnt upon the ground, his remains would fall down to earth like dust from the heavens. Angel Dust, in other words.

Now that vocalist I speak of is called Mike Patton. Few match his skill on the mic. From insane falsetto voices, to loud bass singing, to grunting, to rapping, to plain wackiness, he really is one of the most able vocalists ever to roam the earth. Of course, Air Raid Sirens or the haunting and crooning voice of Keenen, or even the divine goddess Tarja Turunen, all have superb aspects of their singing. But no one can do everything, except this guy.

And in the year 1992, he sung for a band called Faith No More, who had gotten an MTV hit with their single Epic. Now Faith No More was known for their disdain of MTV and commerciality. So, splitting their fanbase right in two, they created the masterpiece that would henceforth be known as Angel Dust. And it truly is an excellent album. I would vouch for it to be one of the best albums of the 90s, a classic of rock and metal alike. Of course Mike Patton has a huge part in the success of this record. His vocal antics please the listener and the producer alike. But the groovy bass lines, the guitar riffs, and the fantastic drums not to mention the idiosyncratic keyboards make this album an aural orgasm.

It is the opener, Land of Sunshine, that already sets the tone. The lyrics, sung in Mike Patton style, portray exactly what Faith No More is all about. Nonsensicality, bitterness against society, sarcasm, it's all in there. Not to mention the musical side of things, with an excellent guitar solo to boot, and the keyboards creating an awesome deep atmosphere to this song. The whole album could easily just be described by the word "idiosyncratic."

And the rest of the album continues in the same vein. It is really hard to single out a track as the best one, albeit the aformentioned Land Of Sunshine is an excellent example, the haunting RV, or Kindergarten, or Jizzlobber, Midlife Crisis, or any other song you wish to take out and play as an example of the brilliance of this album, all would tell you the same story despite all being different songs; this has Faith No More written all over it. It has to be your cup of tea, obviously; but if you liked any other work of Faith No More or comparable bands (who are far and between these days; little has ever achieved the greatness of this), you'll be blown away by this.

In fact, while reviewing this album, the best advice I can give when listening to this record is just put it on and see for yourself. It's an excellent ride from beginning to end, with all the trademark elements plus excellent musicianship this is one of the best albums ever released, no matter what your father, brother, best friend, or MTV may say. If you haven't got this in your collection and you're a fan of rock and metal, shame on you. It's a MUST for anyone who wishes to get into Faith No More, and it's a must for everyone who enjoys the metal genre as a whole. It's also a must if you enjoy just going against the grain just like these guys. Just check it out and you'll see what I mean; this album can't be put into words, it defies any law.

The Real Thing may have been the commercial success; this is artistic success to the max. Please bow deeply to Mike Patton and co., and thank the heavens for blessing us with this record truly made up out of Angel Dust.



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user ratings (2768)
4.4
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other reviews of this album
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Comments:Add a Comment 
ScelusNefas
December 21st 2006


274 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Really nice review for a really nice album!

Oddsen
December 21st 2006


1127 Comments


Nice review and clever intro. I love this album.

tom79
December 21st 2006


3949 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Nice review, intro was kinda cool actually. This took me a while to get into, but its really a great album. Land of Sunshine, Midlife Crisis, and A Small Victory are my favorites from it right now. And yeah, Patton is awesome on this.

ScelusNefas
December 22nd 2006


274 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Patton is almost always awesome lol

Eliminator
December 22nd 2006


2067 Comments


This review actually told me nothing about this album, other than it's brilliant, it has excellent musicianship, and that it's idosyncratic.

Altmer
December 22nd 2006


5712 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

the brilliance of it cannot be put into words, therefore it is pointless wasting them on this

Eliminator
December 22nd 2006


2067 Comments


So you're saying that you're review is pointless and a waste?



Altmer
December 23rd 2006


5712 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

any review is, but for the sake of it I just wanna get you all to buy the album!



No, the point is that doing a track-by-track analysis of this monster would be pointless, because there are so many sides and layers to each of the songs that simply nothing could do it justice, so I'm better off just being concise and to the point.

Eliminator
December 23rd 2006


2067 Comments


How can you be concise and to the point when you don't even really make a point other than that you can't do it justice and that it's brilliant?

Altmer
December 27th 2006


5712 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

That's just your view of the review, I don't think you've read it well enough or understand what I want to say, I don't blame you for that.

Chewie
March 31st 2009


4544 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

stop being a douche Eliminator,



good review, this record has grown on me immensely,

KILL
March 31st 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

lol eliminator rules so much but needs anne frank

EasternLight
August 4th 2009


2711 Comments


pcp omg

porch
April 14th 2010


8455 Comments


caffeine rules

Emim
April 14th 2010


36230 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I love the riff in A Small Victory.

porch
April 14th 2010


8455 Comments


yea

Emim
April 14th 2010


36230 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This is just a fantastic album. Is there a bonus version of this? Mine has a cover of Easy at the end.

AliW1993
April 14th 2010


7511 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah that version is a re-release, I've got it too

porch
April 14th 2010


8455 Comments


yeah and it sounds really out of place at the end, i'd prefer if it wasn't there

Emim
April 14th 2010


36230 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I agree, it would have been better somewhere in the middle. Then again, bonus tracks are always put at the end.



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