New Ween reigns supreme

Ween's latest release brings back the classic sound that originally made them famous. Shinola Volume 1 is reminiscent of the early Ween releases like God Ween Satan and Pure Guava, yet it exhibits a sense of maturity and evolution.\nShinola is "a collection of odds and ends, scraps and leftovers" (www.ween.com) remaining from the band's previous recordings. However, the material is better produced and of a much higher caliber than the early recordings. There is some of everything on the album, and while no individual song would easily fit onto Ween's other albums, together the songs make a perfect discography of the band's last ten years. \nWeen began as a lo-fi, two-man group, consisting of Dean and Gene Ween, who wrote and recorded all the band's songs using minimal technology and recording equipment. Over the years, Ween's commercial popularity has grown due to its intensive touring and the addition of a full live band. However, Shinola gets back to basics, with original members Dean and Gene writing and performing every song on the album.\nShinola is basically two guys having fun in the studio with random instruments and funny sounding voices, yet they are still able to create excellent music. The album has music of all styles and the lyrics touch on a wide range of subjects, from humorous tracks such as the jingle "Boys Club," and "Big Fat Fuck," which brings to mind a blob puking out each lyric, to serious tunes like the offbeat laid-back "I Fell in Love Today" and the acoustic track "Did You See Me?" Also on the album are "Monique the Freak," which is suggestive of a funky Prince-esque song, and "Israel," in which a rabbi speaks blessings over a jazzy backdrop. \nThere is a little bit of every side of Ween on the album, and each song is strong and well-produced. Even though Shinola is not a traditional Ween album in a sense, it stands right up there with the rest of the band's major releases. Fans of Ween will certainly approve.\nAs indicated by the sub-heading "Volume 1," Shinola is the first album in a series that will consist almost entirely of leftover cuts and B sides, and it is a great way to start the series. Henry Rollins put it best when he said, "You shall all bow down to the god that is Ween"