MR. BUNGLE 'CALIFORNIA' 2LP (Translucent Ruby Vinyl)

Weirdo hybridists of the highest order, Mr. Bungle brought a lot to the table with their sun-smooched coastal masterpiece, California. While the band’s third vivid studio full-length pumped the brakes from some of Bungle’s most death-centric tendencies, California is a feverishly inspired experience. Mike Patton generally croons, but occasionally barks above the record’s jump, jive-and-wailing swing-a-billy crossover. “Retrovertigo” mashes distorted alt-doom with the Beach Boys at their most baroque. And they may have raided the Looney Tunes sound effects archive for some of its zaniest noises. Pour yourself a fresh cup of Valencia OJ and squeeze in a listening session on double-wide “Translucent Ruby” vinyl.