The Pod
Ween
Shimmy-Disc, 1991

Reviewed by Yul B. Dead

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In the movie "Mask," Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), the teenage boy inflicted with the Elephant Man's disease, tries to explain the concept of color to his blind love interest (Laura Dern). Handing her ice, he tries to express the color blue. It's a very touching scene. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

She will never get to experience the wonderful color we all know simply as "blue." On a similar note, if you've never heard Ween, then you are in essence blind/deaf to their beauty. You have to go buy their albums to truly appreciate them.

The Pod is considered by many to be their finest hour. Fueled on Scotchgard and who knows what else, Dean and Gene Ween laid down 3600 hours of tape. From this, they selected the choicest 76 minutes. The album starts with an outro ("strap on that jammypac") repeated for three minutes. For first-time listeners, it can be a bit unnerving, but for the experienced listener it's pure joy.

Next, The Pod launches into the anthemic "Dr. Rock". It makes you wish this mythical person existed - someone to rock your ass out when you need it. Sometimes Ween are my personal Dr. Rock. Along with Dr. Rock there are a host of other characters: The Stallion, Molly, Laura, Winkle and Frank, each with their own theme song. You should get to know and love each of them.

Ween are (in)famous for their ability to replicate almost any musical style, sometimes blending several into the same song. The Pod is no exception. From the prog-themed "Right To The Ways And The Rules Of The World" and "Captain Fantasy" to the sugar-pop of "Pork Roll Egg And Cheese," Ween pulls out all the stops. The diamond in this set of tunes has to be "Demon Sweat." It may be the best soul song of the 90's - listen and learn.

Sometimes people dismiss Ween as a joke/novelty band. Nothing can be further from the truth. If you've ever met people with this point of view, cease all contact with them. They're not worth your time. The reason they have this opinion is because they are jealous of Ween's talent and ability. Pray to Boognish and buy Ween!

"Sometimes Ween are my personal Dr. Rock."

Yul B. Dead
- NATN Contributor

 

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Ween Home Page