Mr. Bungle's final album "California" is quite possibly one of the greatest albums of all time. This eccentric California band (hosting vocalist Mike Patton, guitarist Trey Spruance, bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Danny Heifetz) consistantly pushed the boundaries of musicianship, spanning in the course of single songs multiple genres and sonic textures. From Polka to Surf Rock, Doo Wop to Monkey Chant and back to Deathmetal, Mr. Bungle becomes the absolute music of an A.D.H.D. mind. They are easily the most forward thinking group of their generation but despite their hardcore and extensive cult following they never managed to become as successful as they should have. This is possibly due to festival boycotting by inferior but more successful musicians The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Out of three studio albums "Mr. Bungle" (1991), "Disco Volante" (1995), and "California" (1999), "California" stands out as the most accessible to new listeners, yet it still retains the experimental nature and high level of talent woven throughout all the albums. As the final album "California" certainly also takes the band home, closing in a similar manner to how they began, with a large amount of surf rock, beach and palm tree influence.
This posting is old news, more than 10 years late. I put it up because it deserves mention everywhere. Seek out this album buy it, download it, share it, tell children about it.
