Faith no More

Angel Dust

One of the finest discs of the 90s.

Review Score:

(10/10)
Faith No More, Angel Dust (Slash/Reprise, 1992)

Angel Dust, almost universally panned upon its 1992 release, has paid back its critics in spades recently by being named the most influential album of all time by Kerrang! magazine. Patton's finest FNM-era lyrics combine with the band's heaviest work ever to create an (no pun intended) epic of hysteria. From the quiet "Midnight Cowboy" to the cheerleader-esque "Be Aggressive" to the Steinbeck-inspired "Smaller and Smaller" and every possible space in between. Thirteen of the most glorious rock and roll tunes ever recorded.

That said, the album's highlight, and one of Patton's greatest lyrical triumphs (along with King for a Day's "Evidence") during the FNM years, is "Kindergarten." The song doesn't get enough press when this album is discussed because it lacks the extremity of "Jizzlobber," the popularity of "Midlife Crisis," or the experimental qualities of "RV." Nevertheless, it is a perfect example of what it is meant to be-a catchy, easy to follow rock/metal song. Patton manages to blend the wistful, the despairing, the impressionist, the nostalgic, and the angry into one song with complete aplomb. FNM may be considered the progenitors of the current rap-metal movement dominating the airwaves, but if any of the bands involved in it have written a song this good, I haven't heard it yet.

Angel Dust is not an essential metal album, it is THE essential metal album. One of the finest releases of the 1990s. *****

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