The Real Thing

I think I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4.

It’s not because it doesn’t do enough to get up to a 5 – I liked the album a lot. I just because I don’t think it did anything outstanding enough to feel like a 5. Every single track here is technically sound, pretty catchy, and great to listen to. It’s an album I’d definitely recommend. It just doesn’t feel like it has the big knockout shot that stands on its own merits as opposed to feeling like another band, or sort of leaving me truly wowed like some other metal or rock albums I’ve given 5’s to.

In case it wasn’t obvious, I can’t fully shake the whole “this sounds a lot like the Red Hot Chili Peppers” thing. Yes, I know, 1989, and therefore, this is before Blood Sugar Sex Magik, so it’s more of a chicken/egg deal. It’s not even like it’s a negative – I love the instrumental style on this album, and it leans a bit more into the metal side of things, so I can’t definitely say “hey, this is just RHCP”. However, given that Blood Sugar Sex Magik (and Californication, by the way) sort of refine this style and really knock it out of the park with multiple tracks that really feel like timeless hits, as opposed to this one, where “Epic” sort of qualifies, as does “The Real Thing”, but not in the same impactful way. It just feels like this album falls a little short of the potential it tries to reach.

It’s still a good album, though – like an 8.75/10, give or take a quarter of a point. I really did enjoy a lot of this – I listened to the main 9 tracks and the great cover of “War Pigs”, and that’s a pretty satisfying 51 minutes. I do wish the album started off on a better note than “From Out of Nowhere”, which feels like a Phil Spector masterclass in how to ruin a song, but everything past that is pretty damn good. It’s *right there* as far as being a 5, and hell, maybe it’ll bump up someday if another one of these tracks clicks way better for me. For now, it’s a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4, but it’s a highly recommended 4 regardless – super unique for 1989, and probably a strong harbinger of the metal rock-rap fusion to come throughout the late 90s and early 2000s.

Bass and guitar sound is on point. Mike Patton on point as well. All very good songs!

Yeah...its fine

3.64

This is really cool. From Out of Nowhere and Woodpecker From Mars are my favorite songs here. The bass slaps and the other instruments are well played too. The best hard rock that the 80's had to offer. A lot better than the hair metal drivel that came before and a lot better than the countless rap rock nu metal albums that were inspired by it.

2.5

Rock that borders onto metal is not my thing. There are a couple of good songs on this album but that is about it!

Favourite song: Zombie eaters was a good song out of a bad bunch and I liked the cover of War Pigs but it doesnt touvh the original.
Least favourite: The rest of the album
Album artwork: Cool cover

I first came into contact with Faith no More with the album "Angel Dust". And I thought that album was great. It took me a while to get to The Real Thing. I only got and listened to this album as part of a 4 CD collection. I also think this album is great. However, as I have just checked, I still think "Angel Dust" is better.
4/5

Quite good, actually. It sounds pretty dated, but it doesn’t sound like 80s music at all. I can see why it’s so influential. 3.5 stars.

This album feels weighty and epic.

It's really good man. I have no idea why I hadn't properly dug into Faith No More before beyond a very surface level. I like Mike Patton's voice, I like the heavy driving riffs, and I like their style. It sounds super fresh given it came out at the tail end of the 80's. Rock \m/

Floppy fish! I guess that's how many of us will always remember FNM... that, or their nod to the Commodores!

Rating this album isn't as easy though.

I guess there's a love-hate thing going on, and it's something that I've been noticing on one too many albums since starting this journey, and that is that there are too many songs that last just 30 seconds too long... even Epic

So, 3 stars... but I enjoyed the listen... but 3 stars...

Also, as a last thought, I was reading how many people seem to compare FNM to RHCP... and I don't get it. They have in common that both bands were around at the same time, and that neither bands was making the kind of music popular at that moment. RHCP, in the end, were more commercially successful, but I'd say that this has to do with better publicist most likely. John Frusciante is an amazing guitarist, but brother Martin sounds better, at least on this album, and in my humblest of opinions...

I remember the first time I was introduced to Faith No More. I first heard their hit song Epic while playing Rock Band. I liked the song, but never really explored any of their other stuff, so this will be an interesting listen today. Epic features some funk rap stylings similar to what you would see Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys do. There is some really funky bass grooves throughout this record. I find it interesting that Epic is their break out hit off of this record, as I would rate it as one of the weaker songs on the album. There is a wide range of styles here. Everything from hard rock to funk to rap. Overall a pretty solid album all around. Glad I listened, and wouldn't be opposed to listening again. There is a really solid version of Black Sabbath's song: War Pigs on this album, which took me by surprise.

Favourite songs: Surprise! You're Dead!, War Pigs, Epic, From Out of Nowhere, Falling to Pieces, The Real Thing, Underwater Love

Least favourite songs: Edge of the World

4/5

Solides Heavy Metal mit ordentlichen Songs. Schwierige Funk und Rap Elemente wechseln sich mit interessanten alternativen Rockelementen und Pianoteilen und Balladen ab. “Epic” sollte man mal gehört haben. “Zombie Eaters” & “Edge of the World” stechen positiv hervor. Das Album ist nicht schlecht und für Band und Genre prägend aber insgesamt nicht überdurchschnittlich.

Odd mix of genres on this album, from a band searching for an identity. Goes everywhere from ballady to rap to full-on Slayer. I enjoyed "From Out of Nowhere" and "Epic", but hated "Surprise! You're Dead!" "War Pigs" was as good as the original.

Not a fan of Patton, but some good musical ideas and performances.

2.5/5

While I think I may enjoy Mike Patton's other project(s), such as Mr. Bungle for their more showbiz-esque nature, this is still very enjoyable, albeit kind of long winded. I have to give credit to Patton, though, not only for his voice and range, but also for being one of the musicians out there that respects and has even worked with Sparks, always bonus points for that, as I am a Mael brothers shill, just the way I like it. Anyway, good album.

I'd listened to this again recently. I remember thinking that the opening few tracks are great, gets me in a rock mood. Then it gradually goes downhill after that. Even War Pigs couldn't recover it for me.

Like a mix of the RHCP and Nu metal, not really my cup of tea but impressive it came out in the 80’s given it clearly had a lot on influence on late 90s early 00’s nu metal. So deserves its place on the list.

I though this was just OK, I only knew Epic well to begin with. A couple of other tracks stood out to me, but none were particularly memorable.