Ween

The Mollusk (Elektra)
by Jessica Rylan

My favorite thing about Ween is how they copy all kinds of music perfectly, seemingly without any understanding of what they’re doing. But while I was struggling through middle school, they were hanging out in their parents’ garage smoking ScotchGard, so they’re lucky to be able to talk at this point.

The first few times listening to The Mollusk, I felt really let down. The songs are smooth to the point of cheesy. Then slowly light dawned over Marble Head: this is Ween’s ’80s tribute record. But not the synthpop everyone thinks is awesome again: all the retarded crap I was subjected to in eight grade. “I’m Dancing in the Show Tonight” is Dixieland as performed by Dr. Demento. “I’ll Be Your Johnny” has the guitar sound from ZZ Top’s “Legs” backed by a drum machine that plays a straight one-two all the way through. “Ocean Man” has chirpy mandolin/piano interplay. Later on, we get a few of those jams that Jaguar-driving “Deadheads” do, some synth leads paying tribute to Jan Hammer (of Miami Vice theme song fame), a few pompous British Metal ballads (think Yes with Def Leppard and Queen), and several instrumental ’80s grocery store ballads.
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