Spicy & Sticky

I'm back for another Ween review....What can I say, I really dig this band! "Chocolate and Cheese" is definitely a transitional point for Ween. It is much more pop oriented then their previous albums, while still maintaining their experimental quality. It also shows the first few steps toward musical maturity for Dean and Gene. While there are still songs on this album that are demented and twisted (which of course true Ween fans expect and love) there are also more just plain catchy tunes that show off the duo's songwriting abilities and musicianship.

For "Chocolate and Cheese," I'd like to break the album down song by song since there is such a mix of styles among the 16 tracks.

1. "Take Me Away"
Ween starts the album out right with this short but sweet song.

2. "Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)"
This song is just plain twisted--like a childhood nightmare. Lyrics
like, "It really hurts mommy, am I gonna die?" set the mood, which
despite the songs topic, is pretty lighthearted.

3. "Freedom of '76"
This is an ode to Philadelphia and the lyrics include all sorts of references to the city from South Street to Fairmount Park. They even mention Boyz II Men and the movie "Mannequin"! The music itself is an updated take on the traditional Philly soul and R & B style.

4. "I Can't Put My Finger on It"
The line, "Are you surprised when I touch the dwarf inside?" says it all!

5. "A Tear For Eddie"
An nice instrumental interlude in the midst of the album.

6. "Roses are Free"
This one is very catchy and is a favorite at live shows that I've been
to. The lyrics remind you to think about the consequences of your actions.

7. "Baby B*tch"
This one is a love/hate "ballad." Ween doesn't have too many slow songs and this one is superbly done. Gene goes from being depressed to
smug in the course of minutes. Wonderfully done!

8. "Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony?"
Here's another odd one that just kind of leaves you saying, "huh?"
Still, it's funny and it shows off that Ween style!

9. "Drifter in the Dark"
This track is just average. I don't dislike, I don't like it. It's just one of those things in life that is "just there" so you put up
with it.

10. "Voodoo Lady"
One of the best songs on the album, this one just rocks! Its a
funky/boogie, very upbeat tune that will make you move your body in no time.

11. "Joppa Road"
This is one of the other slower songs on the album. Did you grow up
somewhere that, as teenagers, everyone would drive the "strip" and
hang out? This will take you back there!

12. "Candi"
This is where the album gets its title from. There aren't many
lyrics to this one and it's very odd!

13. "Buenas Tardes Amigo"
This is a southwest themed, almost spoken word track. The story is of
man who is jealous of his brother, so he kills him and then blames it on another man to cover it all up. I enjoy this song a lot, but at times it seems to break up the cohesiveness of the album.

14. "The HIV Song"
The only words in this carnival like song are "AIDS" and "HIV" This is
definitely a reflection of the older Ween style.

15. "What Deaner Was Talking About"
Possibly the best song on the entire album. It's another catchy pop tune that just makes you want to sing along. A staple at any Ween show! If you've felt burntout, apathetic or jaded you'll indentify
with lyrics like, "The sun comes up and I'm all washed out, is this
what Deaner was talking about? I don't think I will ever return again, my friend."

16. "Don't Sh*t Where You Eat"
This is my least favorite track on "Chocolate and Cheese" so it's good
that it's also the last track. That way it doesn't upset the continuity of the rest of the album and you don't have to listen to it
if you don't enjoy it yourself!


Overall, "Chocolate and Cheese" good album. They create a good balance and try some new things that really work for them. A few things just don't seem to fit in though, which is alright because I think they get it down pat with their next album, "The Mollusk."