Faith No More
Album Of The Year

THE REVIEW

Album of the year? Maybe not, but one thing is certain, this is the farewell album of Faith No More. Yes, because upon the release of "Album Of The Year" the breakup was in the air, more or less for these reasons: too many lineup changes in the band, the many side projects of Mike Patton, but most of all because after nearly fifteen years of activity, Faith No More had said everything they had to say. And they said a lot.
This last gasp is not at the level of neither the fundamental "The Real Thing", nor the eclectic "Angel Dust", nor the tight "King For A Day...", but it is certainly an exercise of high quality, also because these five musicians (with the new entry John Hudson on guitar) outclass most of the groups in the crossover scene (and not only...).

The album immediately starts with a bang with "Collision", the name could not be more fitting, its start is more destructive than ever, then at a certain point it calms down, only to explode again, all in continuous rhythm changes perfectly in the Faith No More style; it continues with the wonderful electro-rock ballad "Stripsearch" in which Patton amuses himself by taking you to heaven, then when you least expect it, you find yourself in absolute darkness, the light is only glimpsed thanks to Hudson's solo but Mike gives you no chance and leaves you in a magnificent thriller-like ending.
The power riff and Patton’s whispers make "Last Cup Of Sorrow" a great song, for which a video was made blending Hitchcock and Lynch, you won't understand a thing but get it.
The tight hardcore of "Naked In Front Of The Computer" keeps you glued to the speakers for two straight minutes; the tones calm down a bit with "Helpless", a refined acoustic ballad that becomes more sustained in the end; "Mouth To Mouth" is a nice fusion of keyboards with an oriental flavor and powerful riffs, with Patton juggling as usual.
"Ashes To Ashes" is the masterpiece of the album: sublime melody served with an elegant yet intense rock with the great performances of all five band members, Patton is immense.
"She Loves Me Not" is a piano ballad with vaguely soul sounds, in the album it’s out of context and is the least successful episode, however, it’s still listenable; fortunately, the rhythm picks up with "Got That Feeling", perhaps the craziest track of the album: very frantic, irresistible, it could very well fit in "King For A Day...", it almost looks like the sequel to "Get Out".
"Paths Of Glory" and "Home Sick Home" are two tracks with little identity and in fact quite negligible, but the finale is entrusted to the excellent "Pristina" with its heartbreaking and infinite riff, here Patton sings in falsetto and lets himself go in a love song, chanting a long "I'll Be With You."

"Album Of The Year" at first impact might disappoint because it doesn’t propose important novelties like the previous records, but further and more careful listens reveal superior maturity, great class, and an elegance that is frightening even in the most intense moments with Patton confirming himself as one of the most beautiful voices in the entire rock scene. Fortunately, he is here to save us in this currently flat music world, he has now become a 360-degree character and whatever he touches risks turning into gold: he is the Frank Zappa of the 2000s. Advice: keep an eye on his projects