Monster Jams: Mike Patton and Jean-Claude Vannier - Corpse Flower (released 9/13/2019)
Talk about a strange brew--this bizarro collection of adventurous tracks from vocal mad scientist Mike Patton and famed composer Jean-Claude Vannier is genuinely an album without boundaries. An eclectic ensemble provides strings, keys, and percussion for this boisterous effort that roams a broad musical landscape with playful abandon. There is a cinematical feel to the compositions that veer from blues to pop amid a great many detours into various sounds and moods. At times cocky and sarcastic, Corpse Flower also hosts numerous moments of gentle amusement and loving tenderness. It even growls at various junctures, and the artists have so much fun exploring the space that it is often hard to discern whether or not they are winking at the listener or cracking a whip. The lyrics are occasionally blunt and direct, but veer more toward the poetic or even the surreal--and also plunder Oscar Wilde's material in the opening salvo. As a Patton fan, I would classify this among his most curious endeavors, yet it is infinitely more accessible than his most challenging recordings. A hearty buffet of sonic delights, Corpse Flower is one of 2019's most unique releases, and it takes listeners on a delightful journey with a lot of eerie subtexts. Standout tracks include "Browning," "On Top of the World," and "A Schoolgirl's Day," but there isn't a bad cut in the mix.
Final Grade: A
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