Ween
White Pepper
Elektra
By now, I'm used to being a bit disappointed with the new Ween album. I also know that whatever reservations I may have about it will melt by the fourth or fifth listening. White Pepper contains easily assimilated songs like "Bananas And Blow" (a dead-on Jimmy Buffet sendup) and "Even if You Don't," a jouncy number that's all about sunshine and low self-esteem. "Ice Castles" sounds like it was recorded on a Pakistani factory-reject four-track, and "Pandy Fackler" is redneck jazz at its finest. "Stroker Ace" is so hot it makes flames come out of my muffler, and "Falling Out" is a return to Ween's prosthetic country roots.
White Pepper is just your average Ween album, which means it is a collection of uncomfortably likeable songs -- you're never sure if Ween is laughing at you, with you, or being deadly serious. Regardless, you'll be humming it in the shower for months.
