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Imagine taking a variety of albums off your shelves, possibly some rock, metal, funky, hip-hop, jazz-pop works, and throwing them into a stewpot... what would come out? The answer is THE REAL THING. Probably there is no better way to describe this masterpiece by Faith No More, 1989. The Real Thing is our third studio album, featuring for the first time the young but already promising Mike Patton on vocals.
It starts off right away with From Out of Nowhere, a track with a decidedly epic setting, which nevertheless does not give up more melodic and carefree solutions in the chorus; before even finishing listening to the first track, we find ourselves immediately facing the album's symbol song, the fabulous Epic, the track that probably best represents our musical inclinations: rapped parts that intertwine with epic metal outbursts and a traveling keyboard that enchants us in the finale with a classical music epilogue. It then moves on to the lightheartedness of Falling To Pieces (which could have been written by the Red Hot...) to reach the most violent track of the album: Surprise! You're Dead!, which I would personally put on page number 1 of the crossover manual: punkish drums – compressed bass – thrash riff – singing that moves from rap to hardcore.
Then we come to Zombie Eaters, where the initial poignant keyboard part then gives way to the anger of Mike and Co. The title track The Real Thing shows us how divine Patton's voice is; then you move to Underwater Love and The Morning After, yet another demonstration of how good Faith No More are at blending chili pepper style funky-rock with '80s metal.
Woodpecker from Mars opens with a classical intro accompanied by echoing bagpipes that pave the way for Uncle Billy's powerful slaps; the subsequent cover of Sabbath's War Pigs is nothing short of impeccable!
Finally, it concludes with the delightful Edge of the World, in jazz-pop style.
What can we say about these musicians? Billy Gould on bass delivers a performance to be crowned, not only because technically it is impeccable, but considering the fact that with his instrument he manages to create a perfect amalgam of jazz, rock, funky, metal... and that's not easy! Mike Bordin behind the skins is a guarantee; Jim Martin on guitar constructs interesting textures ranging from epic–thrash-metal to more funky and lighthearted rock (anticipating the patterns of nu-metal), without, however, occasionally giving up a solo.
What to say about Bottum (keyboard)… except that he is the first cousin of LSD… TRIPPY! Mike Patton performs authentic miracles with his voice, he does pretty much everything: sings, screams, warbles (even laughs in the fourth track). However, his technical maturation will come with subsequent works. Perhaps only one adjective is needed to describe these characters… CHAMELEONIC!
We now come to the final considerations. This work is considered by many to be the manifesto of Crossover, meant as a fusion of different musical trends; according to others, it is the rock album par excellence; it's certain that Faith No More contributed to making metal a mass phenomenon, but for this reason, they should not be considered a commercial band.
Beyond any possible classification, which honestly can be of relative interest, a few words are enough to summarize “The Real Thing”… eclectic, fun, FABULOUS!
If you don't have it yet, get it immediately!!
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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Other reviews
By joe strummer
Mike Patton's charisma explodes in the 11 tracks of The Real Thing, making the band's sound more appealing.
'Epic' is fundamental in the crossover genre, exemplifying a formula of furious rap and a majestic chorus.
