'' is a
1999 (see
1999 In Music ) album by the band
Mr. Bungle . Many people are of the opinion that it is by far the band's most accessible, and 'normal' album. Rolling Stone has put this in various "essential albums" lists.
It was supposed to be released in 1998, but Warner Bros. chose instead to release the similarly-titled ''
Californication '' by the
Red Hot Chili Peppers . Allegedly, this was done out of fear of retribution from
Anthony Kiedis . It is speculated that both albums could have been released at the same time with no change in sales, or confusion of any kind - Mr. Bungle is somewhat more of a niche band, and the Chili Peppers are far more commercial (''Californication'' being their most commercial album to date). This is the reason for the refueling of the tensions between the two bands - both Patton and Kiedis had forgotten about the
Faith No More video incident of 1990 (where Kiedis accused Patton of stealing his style).
Mike Patton has contributed more to this album than any other member of the band. Additionally, this is the most Patton has contributed (in terms of songwriting) to any Mr. Bungle album.
''California'' is the final release (outside of bootlegged live recordings from 2000) from Mr. Bungle, as they have officially disbanded (due to reasons nobody will give).
#"Sweet Charity" (music/lyrics: Patton) - 5:05
#"None Of Them Knew They Were Robots" (music: Heifetz/Patton/Spruance lyrics: Spruance) - 6:03
#"Retrovertigo" (music/lyrics: Dunn) - 4:59
#"The Air-Conditioned Nightmare" (music: McKinnon/Patton lyrics: Patton) - 3:54
#"Ars Moriendi" (music/lyrics: Patton) - 4:09
#"Pink Cigarette" (music: Patton/Spruance lyrics: Patton) - 4:54
#"Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy" (music/lyrics: Spruance) - 3:34
#"The Holy Filament" (music/lyrics: Dunn) - 4:03
#"Vanity Fair" (music: Dunn/Patton lyrics: Patton) - 2:57
#"Goodbye Sober Day" (music: McKinnon/Patton lyrics: Patton) - 4:27
