Dean Ween Group - Deaner Rock 2

***1/2

Strange (Part 2)

Dean Ween Ex-frontman of infamous Punk / Grunge band Ween is not like the normal artist, he is strange and usual... but lucky for him we are not totally sane here at Music Trespass Magazine. So this is the kind of release we like to receive, but the question is... was it as good as other releases by this infamous frontman... would we like his new group for the second time round. Well had to take a listen to find out, and we listened and we listened... and we still could not make our minds up. It hasn't been long since his solo group's debut release 'The Deaner Album', so with most artists you would think 'Deaner Rock 2' wouldn't be as good as the first incarnation, but this is never the case with Dean Ween. He is an artist that can release, release after release in a short amount a time... to a high standard.

For anyone wanting another Ween album, this is not quite it... but I don't think that is a band thing because 'Deaner Rock 2' has it's own certain charm. From the simple simplistic front cover to the well put together but simplistic songs on the disc. Just say opening track is a 'Showstopper' in the way Jimi Hendrix was always one with his live shows. This is really a song he could of had a Woodstock moment with, if he had released it in the 70's. The strange thing is the next track in contrast is quite bizarre... simply entitled 'Fingerbanging', this a crazy all over the place little ditty. What does 'Fingerbanging' mean anyway'sm think it's something I can't put in this review. But you expect that from a musician like Dean Ween he can always surprise you with new ideas, and songs that could have come off a Primus or Melvins album.

How can you put this track next to the Neil Young / Tom Petty Esq. 'Don't let the moon catch you Crying', they are just in contrast so different. This is a very sensible track that mixes Classic Rock / Soft Rock, and puts on the road travelling songs into your mind. Arrhhh it does your mind in, how can you have this next to a song like 'Waste Station 9' and 'Love theme From: Skinheads kicking your Ass'... they just don't go!!!. Is this genius or madness, strange thing is that it is making me smile and in the boring World that is a good thing.

One of the best tracks is 'Someone greased the Fatman' which is very Funky and Bluesy, but it's 'The Ritz Carlton' keys that really hits a bell with me, and the Psychedelic Pink Floyd Esq. guitars that are almost played out of time on 'This heart of Palm'. But saying all this... none of these are as crazy as 'Yellow Pontiac' which is a slowed down Rock version of Green Jelly meets Gwar. I actually like this a lot, but I really don't know why. I think it's that this album is just fun. You think that 'Pussy on my Pillow' is going to be more crazy, but it just sounds like 'Yakety Yak' by The Coasters. And closer 'Sunset over Belmar' is just a disappointment going in conjunction to the other songs, but it is mellow and fades the album out.

One a whole this is a fun album, that you might put on when someone comes round to tea. But would I run out and buy it, I don't think so... but if someone gave it to me. It would make me smile, and I would put it on. It's Dean Ween being Dean Ween and that is what we want from Dean Ween ... don't we.

Review by Dan Devour

You can buy the debut solo album 'The Deaner (Album)' and 'Deaner Rock 2' from the links Below...

Listen! to the Track for 'Waste Station 9' Below...