The element of surprise is somewhat lost in modern music. Whether it’s due to predictable trends, record labels fearful of taking risks, or the temptation of oversharing on social media, few contemporary artists are able to release a shocking LP. There are obvious exceptions to this, but one can’t help but notice how the same artists who used Hip-hop-style drum patterns have now transitioned into twangy acoustics. When an artist does pull off the impossible and deliver a masterpiece brimming with experimentation, it feels like the Earth comes to a halt and begins to move with the music. 30 years ago, a duo from a small town in Pennsylvania achieved this mystifying creative feat with a groovy yet daring outing.
Ween’s fourth album, Chocolate and Cheese, was released on September 27, 1994, and changed the trajectory of the band’s sound. Their first projects were recorded in their home, giving them a grainy, lo-fi aesthetic and raw textures -known to fans as “Brown”. Chocolate and Cheese was Ween’s first venture into a full studio setting, and despite having all of these tools at their disposal, founders Gene and Dean Ween still handled most of the instruments. This album marked the first time Ween recorded anything digitally and is also their first outing with longtime drummer Claude Coleman Jr. With a new member and a whole lot of new toys; Ween got to work on what would become a smashing success and career-defining moment.
Chocolate and Cheese saw the band’s nimble pop-rock transform into crisp, soulful tunes with jovial melodies and tongue-in-cheek lyricism. To this day, it is baffling how a quaint hit like “Roses Are Free” sounds right at home next to the nostalgic soul of “Freedom of ‘76.” Ween used their new assets to create a sprawling tracklist initially well-received by critics. Chocolate and Cheese scored big with glowing reviews from across the board, besides NME, who at the time the album a six out of ten compared to Pitchfork’s nine out of ten. The new, cleaner recording tactics breathed life into the nuances of Ween’s approach, allowing their ambitions to be achieved and loftier as the possibilities grew. There are still moments where the band’s roots cut through, like on the hazy “Voodoo Lady” and off-kilter “Candi.”
Thirty years later, Ween’s Chocolate and Cheese miraculously still sounds refreshing. Despite the constant innovations happening in the world of recorded music, the band’s risky approach to these 16 songs still sounds complex and daring. Even at its most conventional, Ween’s fourth LP showcases the band’s relentlessness towards manipulating tropes to fit into their world. Therein lies the magic of Ween.
