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Rated 10/10
Ween rule. This album is honestly one of their better ones in my eyes. It's a lot more focused and tight than some of their others. The production is also really great. I love the cover as well.
Rated 10/10
A wonderfully nautical themed album, The Mollusk is "neo-psychedelia" in the truest sense of the term, crafting psychedelic soundscapes using synths, country instrumentals, and vocal processing, instead of traditional 60s/70s methods.
I have a bias towards aquatic sounding albums so this album definitely tickles me. Up to this point Ween had been a very weird and sometimes experimental band (except for the country album) but The Mollusk is an insanely accessible album despite its quirks, Ween manage to blend a variety of different genres (folk, prog, country, even sea shanties) into a very palatable package. Since this genre hops so much it never gets too boring or samey, and surprisingly Ween have made a surprisingly cohesive album despite the assortment of genres on display.
The Mollusk has a sort of childish quality, not necessarily immature (though it is pretty immature) but more in a childlike wonder kind of way. The title track and Ocean Man are the best examples of this. I think this aspect of the album is the secret sauce that ties everything together, I think childishness isn't utilised very well in art and Ween are one of the few acts weird enough to pull it off. Even the more adult songs (such as the ones about drugs and The Blarney Stone which is excessively vulgar) still retain this childlike quality. This album was apparently a big inspiration for the cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, which checks out.
Another major theme of the album is traditional music, specifically in an old-fashioned sense, such as sea shanties and traditional folk songs. The helps add to the sailor-esque theme that runs through the album. Cold Blows the Wind, one of the finest songs on The Mollusk is even a cover of a traditional Irish folk song.
I think this is easily Ween's finest record and combines all of their positive qualities with none of their worst impulses like some of their other albums do.
Should it be on the main list: Yes, Ween should have a minimum of 1 album and could very well have 3.
Top songs: Mutilated Lips, Ocean Man, She Wanted to Leave