I must confess I've never been much of a Ween fan. Oh, sure, like anyone with a minor in religious studies (not true! I never did the paperwork!), I'm intrigued by the theology of GodWeenSatan: The Oneness. I mean, they're obviously some kind of radical Unitarian band with an album title like that.
I also know that they go on about something called Boognish, or possibly The Boognish. Not exactly sure what a Boognish is, but I think my friend's level-12 ranger smote one with a Wand of Lordly Might once.
Anyway, my friend Dan burned me a copy of Ween's 12 Modern Country Classics, and I have to say it's a hell of a country album. I was surprised that it is, for the most part, a real country album and not a goof. Even the goofy, raunchy "Piss Up a Rope" comes from a long tradition of country breakup songs, and is no more (or less) of a goof than that song from a year or two ago which I believe was called "It's Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night (that chew your ass out all day long)" Anyone who's ever been hung over can probably relate to "Help Me Scrape the Mucus Off My Brain" and, "I Don't Want To Leave You on the Farm" sounds more like NRBQ to me than a country song, but it's still very good.
But then there's "Mr. Richard Smoker," which is homophobic, but I was more offended by its incredible stupidity. I mean, I know this band began as two dorks in their basement, but this song really sounds like a couple of twelve year olds thinking that it's, like, totally hilarious that guys, you know, do it with guys. Oh, that's funny stuff!
Still, 9 out of the 10 tracks on 12 Modern Country Classics are big winners, and that's a much better ratio than you get on most albums.
