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"Introduce Yourself" might have already seemed like a pinnacle for Faith No More. But the entry of Mike Patton into the group revolutionized the group's dynamics.
All the charisma of the new singer explodes in the 11 tracks of "The Real Thing," which does not improve the band's sound, but simply makes it more appealing. This fact is not of secondary importance, especially considering the popularity of Crossover. Tracks like "Epic" are fundamental in the evolution of the genre; not for any special qualities, but because they exemplify a formula. In this case, it's a simple furious rap and a majestic chorus, which are nonetheless set in an exhilarating musical frame; irresistible rhythm, prominent bass lines, great atmosphere, keyboards and guitars in unison, unmatched momentum, and even a pianistic finale.
The opening track is "From Out Of Nowhere"; the start is unrestrained. We are faced with something profoundly different, in intent, from the previous album. If before they aimed to hit hard and daze, now the band seems aimed at enchanting and captivating. The initial shower of guitars makes this clear; synth effects, impeccable melody, stretched chorus. The content is there, only the form changes. Faith No More can afford much more than they thought with Patton and essentially gift us impeccable rock tracks; it may be mainstream, it may lack originality, but the quality reaches extraordinary levels. "Falling To Pieces" does nothing but reinforce this idea because it is, in essence, a modern rock ballad, where melancholy is only glimpsed, well disguised by epic tones and compelling rhythms.
With "Surprise! You’re Dead!" we find something different; it seamlessly shifts from hardcore influences to metal ones. An excellent Patton does much of the work, launching into an angry and wonderful song, completed by a very vehement guitar riff. All packaged in a standard alternative rock package, which becomes all too evident with "Zombie Eaters"; it's fine that the new singer is a marvel, but here perhaps they push things a little too far. Despite being a perfectly composed track, it seems a bit artificial. The change in rhythm is quite banal. Nothing really bad, just a drop in originality.
It continues on decent levels with the title track, a constant evolution, through Patton's various vocal timbres and diversified rhythms. One can trace here the origins of nu metal, something that can be a positive or not. "Underwater Love" is a pleasant drop in tension that leads us to the remarkable "The Morning After", a disorienting mixture of intense atmospheres, intense singing, and engaging rhythm.
Another gem is "Woodpecker From Mars"; an Arabian violin that etches itself onto raw bass, giving life to something unique. A ride in the desert with a blazing sun that burns our skin. "War Pigs" is yet another excellent showcase for Patton, who truly performs miracles on this album, reviving even the less interesting tracks. The conclusion is atypical; the wonderful serenade "Edge Of The World", a demonstration of how Faith No More travel on transverse tracks, also thanks to Patton who, for a change, pours his soul into it.
"The Real Thing" is, in short, a more accessible work than its predecessor; it doesn't reach its quality due to some small imperfections and moments that verge on tediousness. Nonetheless, the beauty of these songs is undeniable, which manage to captivate immediately without giving up their fiercest soul.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 From Out of Nowhere (03:22)
Tossed into my mind, stirring the calm
You splash me with beauty and pull me down
Cause you come from out of nowhere
My glance turns to a stare
Obsession rules me-I'm yours from the start
I know you see me-Our eyes interlock
Cause you come from out of nowhere
My glance turns to a stare
One minute here and one minute there
Don't know if I'll laugh or cry
One minute here and one minute there
And then you wave good-bye...
Sifting to the bottom, every day for two
All energy funnels, all becomes you
Cause you come from out of nowhere
My glance turns to a stare
One minute here and one minute there
Don't know if I'll laugh or cry
One minute here and one minute there
And it hurts inside
One minute here and one minute there
And then you wave good-bye...
02 Epic (04:53)
Can you feel it, see it, hear it today?
If you can't, then it doesn't matter anyway
You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast
And it feels so good, it's like walking on glass
It's so cool, it's so hip, it's alright
It's so groovy, it's outta sight
You can touch it, smell it, taste it so sweet
But it makes no difference cuz it knocks you off your feet
You want it all but you can't have it
It's cryin', bleedin', lying on the floor
So you lay down on it and you do it some more
You've got to share it, so you dare it
Then you bare it and you tear it
You want it all but you can't have it
It's in your face but you can't grab it
It's alive, afraid, a lie, a sin
It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win
It's dark, it's moist, it's a bitter pain
It's sad it happened and it's a shame
You want it all but you can't have it
It's in your face but you can't grab it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
You want it all but you can't have it
It's in your face but you can't grab it
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
It's it
What is it?
03 Falling to Pieces (05:15)
Back and forth, I sway with the wind
Resolution slips away again
Right through my fingers, back into my heart
Where it's out of reach and it's in the dark
Sometimes I think I'm blind
Or I may be just paralyzed
Because the plot thickens every day
And the pieces of my puzzle keep crumblin' away
But I know, there's a picture beneath
Indecision clouds my vision
No one listens...
Because I'm somewhere in between
My love and my agony
You see, I'm somewhere in between
My life is falling to pieces
Somebody put me together
Layin' face down on the ground
My fingers in my ears to block the sound
My eyes shut tight to avoid the sight
Anticipating the end, losing the will to fight
Droplets of "yes" and "no"
In an ocean of "maybe"
From the bottom, it looks like a steep incline
From the top, another downhill slope of mine
But I know, the equilibrium's there
Indecision clouds my vision
No one listens
Because I'm somewhere in between
My love and my agony
You see, I'm somewhere in between
My life is falling to pieces
Somebody put me together
Back and forth, I sway with the wind
Resolution slips away again
Right through my fingers, back into my heart
Where it's out of reach and it's in the dark
Sometimes I think I'm blind
Or I may be just paralyzed
Because the plot thickens every day
And the pieces of my puzzle keep crumblin' away
But I know, there's a picture beneath
Indecision clouds my vision
No one listens...
Because I'm somewhere in between
My love and my agony
You see, I'm somewhere in between
My life is falling to pieces
Somebody put me together
05 Zombie Eaters (05:58)
You're everything
Thats why I cling to you
When I emerge my thoughts converge to you
(To you)
The world is so small, compared to you
And everybody's wrong compared to you
(To you)
I begin to see through your eyes
All the former mysteries
are no suprise
So now you listen
'Cause I'm omniscient
Hey look at me lady
I'm just a little baby
You're lucky to have me
I'm cute and sweet as candy
As charming as a fable
I'm innocent and disabled
So hug me, and kiss me
Then wipe my butt and piss me
I hope you never leave
'Cause who would hear me scream?
Nobody understands
Except the toys in my hands
So now you listen
'Cause I'm omniscient
Hey look at me lady
I'm just a little baby
If I smile, then you smile
Then I'll get mad for awhile
I melt in your mouth
And in you hands whenever I can
But I really do nothing
Except kickin' and fussin'
I like to make a mess
I laugh at your distress
i sit all day in my crib
Absorbing all you give
I'm helpless
I'm flawless
I'm a machine
Give me, I need my toys...
Keep me hot, keep me strong
Keep me ever everlong (x4)
So now you listen
'Cause I'm omniscient
06 The Real Thing (08:13)
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
The essence of the truth
The perfect moment
That golden moment
I know you feel it too
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace
No
It's like the pattern below the skin
You gotta reach out and pull it all in
And you feel like you're too close
But you swallow another dose
The pinnacle of happiness
Filling up your soul
You don't think you can take any more
You never wanna let go
To touch the roots of experience
The most basic ingredients
To see the unseen glitter of life
And feel the dirt, grief, anger and strife
Cherish the certainly of now
It kills you a bit at a time
Cradle the inspiration
It will leave you writhing on the floor
This is so unreal, what I feel
This nourishment, life is bent
Into a shape I can hold
A twist of fate, all my own
Just grit your teeth, make no sound
Take a step away and look around
Just clench your fist and close your eyes
Look deep inside, hypnotize
The whisper is but a shout
That's what it is all about
Yes, the ecstasy, you can pray
You will never let it slip away
Like the sacred song that someone sings through you, through you
Like the flesh so warm that the thorn sticks into, into
Like the dream you know one day will come to life
Try to hold on just a little longer, stronger, stronger
It's the jewel of victory
The chasm of misery
And once you have bitten the core
You will always know the flavor
The split second of divinity
You drink up the sky
All of heaven is in your arms
You know the reason why
It's right there, all by itself
And what you are, there is nothing else
You're growing a life within a life
The lips of wonder kiss you inside
And when it's over the feeling remains
It all comes down to this
The smoke clears, I see what it is
That made me feel this way
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
The essence of the truth
The perfect moment
That golden moment
I know you feel it too
I know the feeling
It is the real thing
You can't refuse the embrace
This is so unreal, what I feel
Flood, sell your soul, feel the blood
Pump through your veins, can't explain
The element that's everything
Just clench your fist and close your eyes
Look deep inside, hypnotize
Yes, the ecstasy, you can pray
You will never let it slip away
Yes, the ecstasy, you can pray
You will never let it slip away
You will never let it slip away
You will never let it slip away
Like the echoes of your childhood laughter, ever after
Like the first time love urged you to take it's guidance, in silence
Like your heartbeat when you realize you're dying, but you're trying
Like the way you cry for a happy ending, ending
I know
I know
I know
I know
10 War Pigs (07:46)
Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
Oh lord yeah!
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait 'till their judgement day comes, yeah!
Now in darkness, world stops turning
Ashes where their bodies burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of god has sturck the hour
Day of judgement, god is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
Oh Lord Yeah!
11 Edge of the World (04:11)
Come here, my love
I'll tell you a secret
Come closer, now
I want you to believe it
I'll tell you all the things
You want to hear
Don't worry, baby
There's nothing to fear
Hey, little girl
Would you like some candy?
Look into my eyes
I've seen it all
Hand in hand
Together we fall
We'll sing and dance
And we'll find romance
And we'll stroll to the edge of the world
Come sit right down
Lay your head on my shoulder
It's not the point
That I'm forty years older
You can trust me
I'm no criminal
But I'd kill my mother
To be with you, be with you, be with you, be with you
We'll sing and dance
And we'll find romance
And we'll stroll to the edge of the world
Give me a smile
Let me see those pearlies
I'll do anything
For the little girlies
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If you don’t have it yet, get it immediately!!
One adjective is needed to describe these characters… CHAMELEONIC!
