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Patton back with Peeping Tom |
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Written by VANESSA MIRABILE
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Wednesday, 14 June 2006 |
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"Can you feel it, see it, hear it today?" Yes, Mike Patton is back with the much-anticipated Peeping Tom CD recently released on his own label, Ipecac Records. Peeping Tom is just another addition to his lengthy list of side projects from Fantomas, to Tomahawk and Lovage. The former Bungle and Faith No More lead singer takes another adventurous approach by boasting a diverse list of guest singers as collaborators on the new album.
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Peeping Tom
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 Entertainment
Art
“Peeping Tom”
(Ipecac)
Released May 30, 2006
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From its conception to delivery, Peeping Tom can at least be described as an ambitious project. Named after a horror movie from the sixties on voyeurism, its songs were created much like the band Postal Service, with guest singers recording their part in their own studios then swapping files long distance with Patton. But what makes Peeping Tom really interesting is that the guest crew has such a disparate musical style – from bossa nova to industrial, to even hip-hop that the album ends up offering an exotic combination of tunes that odds are you are likely to love some and hate others.
One of the album’s highlight is the track “Sucker”, which proudly features Norah Jones dismissing a suitor with “What makes you think you’re my only lover?” and finishing the song with a curse word hard to imagine that could possibly be coming out of her delicate mouth. The track with Massive Attack, “Kill de DJ”, is a groovy ballad which progresses to an electronic hip-hop and climax with a powerful chorus. “Celebrity Death Match” and “Don’t Even Trip” have a great industrial feel, while “Your Neighborhood Spaceman” and “We’re not Alone” display a more acute Faith No More influence, maybe because Mike Patton’s voice is more prominent in these songs.
The album’s first single “Mojo” with Rahzel and Dan the Automator has a soft metal vibe that finishes with the famous provocative ending “Oops, I did it again” which makes up for the questionable songwriting of the tune. Brazilian icon Bebel Gilberto appears and sings in her traditional bossa nova style, and ends her track titled “Caipirinha” with the charming chorus “I wish I was there”. She leaves it up to the listener to decide how the lyrics connect with the famous Brazilian alcoholic beverage of the same name.
Yes, it is a fun album. It scores points by its multi-genre tracks, cool beats and an unparallel guest list. However, don’t expect depth in songwriting nor be able to pin-point the style of Patton’s new project. With no pretension or attempt to be more than it is, Peeping Tom is exactly what Mike Patton once said he would deliver: it’s a pop album with an edge. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
