This is my first review. I chose this album because it lives in the shadow of Angel Dust and I feel it needs special attention. Although my personal favorite Faith No More album is probably The Real Thing (almost solely for the title track), King For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime is a unique listening experience that any FNM fan would be remiss not to own. At times there is a definite punk/metal influence, and a lack of keyboards in comparison to other FNM records, plus Patton's lyrics seem a little more subtle, aside from certain moments on the record (Cookoo for Caca).
The album was released in 1995, around the same time as bands like Live's Lightning Crashes, Green Day's Dookie, and Soundgarden's Superunknown and included the second 'official' line-up change for the band. The guitarist. Jim Martin was fired for "lack of enthusiasm" for the music. (fnm.com). Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle) was hired to come and record for the record, and there is a big difference in the sound of KFAD that really separates the record from the rest of the bands recordings. The album goes quickly, with some songs just over 2 minutes,with the longest track on the album, the title track is 6:34 though it doesn't really feel like it. The recording is clean, tight, and very polished. Gould's bass stands out over the whole album. The drumming is precise, and typical of Bordin's lefty tribal playing. Roddy's keyboarding is tasteful if minimalistic, and live often played rhythm guitar. Patton is at his best as usual here, with his wide range and sardonic lyric writing. Many find Angel Dust as FNM's best work, for its genius/insanity, but KFAD is easier to digest, and is a more mature work that leaves it if not better than, at least in the same league as Angel Dust. I'm not going to go into what each song is about, that is for the listener to discern. My goal is to convince those who have not heard Faith No More (this album specifically) to go out and buy this record.
1. Get out. The frantic pace and cracking snare drum of the opener sets the mood for the record (clocking in at 2:17) and immediately Patton's vocals come in, with a jagged guitar riff that leaves no doubt there is a new guitarist on board. The song is short, sweet and to the point (whatever that point may be). The song has a punk/metal flavor that is present on most of the record. Patton's vocal style has grown a little. His voice sounds older, more refined, although his screaming is as guttural and raw as ever. The vocals in the mix don't have as much presence as in past records, but it suits the music just fine.
Lyrical Highlight:
I don't speak that language anymore
My blood is not that color anymore
My blood don't shine the same way anymore
I cannot deny it anymore
2. Ricochet. This songs opens with some pounding, and Patton's opening harmonies are cradled in the guitar producing a thick heaviness. Patton's sense of humor is more subtle than past albums as with the line- "It's always funny until someone gets hurt, then it's just hilarious." Trey's guitar is more reminiscent of Adam Jones' sound more than his predecessor's Sabbath meets metallica over the top sound,(it's actually a combination of Gould's bass sound and the guitar sound together that remind me a little of Tool) and clearly the two play from different influences. The new sound is a perfect match for Patton's smooth vocals highlighted here. The guitar style leaves much more room for the bass to shine through compared to earlier records, and Gould fills the space with ease.
Lyrical Highlight:
All of that thick time without you
Has made me so thick and drunk
and it's okay to laugh about it
I said, "it's okay to laugh about it"
here is the video: (edited album version)
[url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtoCY0em0qk&search=faith%20no%20more[/url]
3. Evidence. One Of the standout performances of the album, It actually made the Triple J Top 100 (29th) that year, beating out Live and Foo Fighters among other top acts. The bass guitar controls the song from the get-go, with Bordin and Trey letting Gould almost carry the entire groove. Roddy adds very tasteful and melodic piano here, adding to the jazzy funkness of the tune. All of this lets Patton really belt out some beautiful melodies here, hypnotizing you into a trance that makes this tune so loved by FNM fans. The guitar solos are beautiful, and the accents during the chorus are a testament to Trey's talent.
I'm adding the video for the song here, so you can check it out for yourself:
[url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=PFYU0m3617E&search=faith%20no%20more[/url]
Lyrical Highlight:
Anything you say, we know you're guilty
Hands above your head and you won't even feel me
4. Gentle Art Of Making Enemies. One of the heavier songs on the record, it starts out with a creepy whisper and builds to a frenzy that explodes with the chorus. One of the shorter songs, it's almost over before it starts. It ends with a garbled guttural whining screaming thing that only Patton could do. Although it's considered a fan favorite, I find other songs on the album stand out more.
Lyrical Highlight:
Don't look so surprised
Happy birthday...***er
Blow that candle out,
We're gonna kick you, kick you
5. Star A.D. One of the most unique Faith No More songs I've ever heard (and that is saying something). It's a mix of Big band, swing, and just about every other genre all rolled into one. It's a very fun song, and a good break between the previous and next tracks. I can't too much about it. I think it can only be truly appreciated by listening to it.
Lyrical Highlight:
And dying is dry-
Like a fact of history
And when you die, you'll become
something worse
Than dead-
You'll become
A legend
We are forever
6. Cookoo for Caca. This is probably one of my personal favorites. From the second it starts, you know this is going to tear you a new asshole. The macabre pipe organ scares you to death while Bordins drums pound you into hell even as Trey's guitar playing warns you to look under the bed before you go to sleep. (that's the only way to describe the opening). The song never lets up, and is as heavy as anything I've ever heard. Of course, Patton makes it all the more insane with the odd lyrics, like "being good gets you stuff, being stuff gets you good". Makes you wonder how many hits of acid he dropped before writing them.
lyrical Highlight:
We'll retire with the turd on our lips Under a pair of knowing eyes
I'm gonna take a few down with me
And drop my good side
7. Carahlo Voador (Portuguese for 'Flying Dick'. Ahh, a nice change of pace. An extremely relaxed tune, Patton rarely goes above a whisper at the start, easing you out of the previous track's insanity. A simple but effective song, it's a good buffer between the heavier songs.
Lyrical Highlight: (spoken in Portuguese, of which Patton is fluent.)
Loose translation:
I can't drive
And now my index finger
Shows up in my nose.
8. Ugly In the Morning: Another short heavy song, this song would be dark and evil, but the vocals are just plain funny. This song seems like it could have been written during the Angel Dust sessions.
Lyrical Highlight:
You did one thing wrong
You woke up.
You look better before
More - more
9. Digging The Grave. I can't really go into too much detail about this song without sounding like a pure fanboy, but nevertheless, this is a classic song. It has a punk sound, very polished, and when you watch the video for the song, it will make you wonder why they are not the biggest band in the world. I am inserting a link for you to watch the video yourself.
Lyrical Highlight:
Let something in or throw something out?
You left the door open wide
I know you have a reason why
That knot is better left untied
I just went and undid mine
It takes some time
Here is the video for this song. f*cking great.
[url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=kmkMRUNK8Q4&search=faith%20no%20more[/url]
10. Take This Bottle, If it weren't so good, I would call it a joke song. And although sometimes reminiscent of a cliché country ballad, there is some special quality here that separates it from that garbage. There is no fancy playing, the music is simple, and is purely a vocal song, with beautiful lyrics delivered honestly (reading the lyrics they seem tongue in cheek, but the song doesn't come off that way).I can't help but sing along to this track.
Lyrical Highlight:
I can wait to love in heaven
I can wait for you
Far away, I'll treat you better
Better than down here
11. King For A Day, Fool For a Lifetime. It is hard to characterize this song. The title track to the album starts off with a simple groove and some strumming guitar, while Gould holds a tight groove underneath. The chill piano riff adds a little mystery to the song, as Patton whispers in your ear like he's trying to sell you something. Out of nowhere, the song rocks out and it adds a lot of depth and intrigue as to where it's going to go. I remember the first time I heard the post-chorus jam, it sent chills up my spine and had to listen to that part over and over. There isn't a moment like this anywhere on the album or anywhere else for that matter (if we were talking about another band I would call it a 'Toolgasm'). It is a great climax to the record and is one of FNM's finer moments. The song fades into nothing but a whisper.
Lyrical Highlight:
Don't let me die with that silly look in my eyes
12. What A Day, This could almost be a filler track, but it's too good for that. It's another short song, but It rocks hard throughout. It has that familiar punk/metal vibe and has silly nonsensical lyrics that make me think Patton MUST have eaten that acid. The whole song is kind of kooky, except the chorus where it comes in with a super catchy hook.
Lyrical Highlight:
A wet sneeze and a "no left turn"
A row of teeth and an encouraging word
Beneath a mile of skin
"I should've noticed it"
"I should've noticed it"
"I should've noticed it before"
13. The Last To Know. Yet another under-appreciated song, when I first heard it I thought It was an STP cover. The vocal style, the soloing and guitar riffs (especially) all remind me of a Pilots song. An epic song that captures my attention throughout. The solo at the end shows Trey's skill and his willingness to submit to the song.
Lyrical Highlight:
Can't you see
There's always one me
And that me is me
14. Just A Man. Another song that's almost unclassifiable, it starts out almost like a lullaby, Gould holds the rhythm down while Patton sings a quiet melody that bursts into a chorus that I have a hard time putting into words. It all comes together though in the breakdown bridge, and Patton uses a stage voice and sends a chill up my spine. The song ends with a Dark Side of the Moon jam, complete with a chorus of choir singers. An interesting way to end the record.
I did not use the 5/10 rating system because I did not want to, and I don't like rating art, Ratings are purely subjective, and you get enough of that in the review. I tried to be objective, but I don't think I was that successful. Ah well, live and learn. Some of the biographical information obtained from FNM.COM and Wikipedia.
I've decided to include one more video link. Its not off of this record, It's stripsearch, from their last studio album. It's my top 3 fnm song. make sure you listen/watch the whole thing, its got a great ending.
the audio is a little off with the video, but the music is beautiful.
[url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=lEb7csPrhHA&search=faith%20no%20more%20Str ipsearch[/url]
If interested there are a slew of FNM vids at Youtube.com
Thanks, and Peace.
