"Pink Cigarette"

Mr. Bungle will best be remembered as Faith No More singer Mike Patton’s “other band." Although Patton was a member of Mr. Bungle first and remained in the group after Faith No More disbanded, Bungle’s output was limited due to FNM’s touring and recording schedule. The three albums Mr. Bungle did release are quite remarkable: 1991’s Mr. Bungle, 1995’s Disco Volante, and 1999’s California. Each one sounds drastically different but are united in their approach and melding of musical genres.

California is Mr. Bungle’s most groundbreaking and sonically pleasing release. With more experimentation than their two previous releases and working within a more structured framework, Bungle created an album that is at times dissonant yet incredibly accessible. In addition to the core instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards), California also features English and French horns, cello, violin, viola, accordion, trumpet and orchestra style percussion.

The song “Pink Cigarette” features Middle Eastern tones, understated piano, orchestral backing and Frank Zappa inspired doo-wop. And although this is a weird amalgamation, the track successfully melds these sounds without seeming cheap and gimmicky. Mike Patton’s vocals are just as adventurous. His delivery is haunting, and the multi-tracked backing vocals showcase his tremendous range.

The song chronicles the final hours of a jilted lover whose last desperate act of payback is suicide. Without a close reading of the lyrics, and the obvious final verse, one might be quick to dismiss it as just another love song.

With its captivating music bed and multi-layered vocals, “Pink Cigarette” evokes a mood that is uplifting yet ultimately tragic. And although California contains many astounding and memorable tracks, “Pink Cigarette” may be the hardest to forget.

Mr. Bungle disbanded shortly after the release of California, but all of its members have remained active in the music industry and continue to work together. Patton, possibly the hardest working man in music, went on to form record label Ipecac and is currently front man for two bands: the genre-defying Fantomas and nu-metal act Tomahawk.