XX (album)
Encyclopedia
XX is the fourth major label album by industrial metal
band Mushroomhead
, released in 2001
. Originally released through Eclipse Records
, where Mushroomhead took classic tracks and re-recorded them. XX was entirely re-recorded and re-released on Universal Records
later in the year. XX contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums – Mushroomhead
, Superbuick
, and M3
. The release of XX through Universal Records helped introduce Mushroomhead on a national and international level, while previously being known predominantly on a regional scale.
The album has sold over 300,000 copies. It was also available in a free mail-away offer for those who placed a Mushroomhead promotional banner on their website. The album (along with Savior Sorrow
) is also available for purchase from Mushroomhead's website.
at the end of "Bwomp" extended mix. It was originally due to appear on the Universal Records
release, but due to a law suit filed by Eclipse for the way Mushroomhead left the label, it was left off the album. The band originally stated that the only reason they originally included the prank call was because the guy that made it included Mushroomhead in the conversation, as he was said to have been a big fan of the band.
The Eclipse Records release included an instrumental track titled "Epiphany" as well as a bonus hidden track, which is the same prank phone call skit that concludes M3. The Universal Records release included additional tracks of "Fear Held Dear," "Too Much Nothing," and a cover of Pink Floyd
’s "Empty Spaces
." The version of "Empty Spaces" is placed directly in front of "Born of Desire" on the track listing to duplicate Mushroomhead's live version that would allow "Empty Spaces" as an intro of sorts to begin "Born of Desire."
The Eclipse version has all the tracks re-recorded from their original albums. The Universal versions of the songs are re-mixed and in some cases certain parts are re-recorded from the versions on the Eclipse release. So the songs on both albums are different versions of each other, and of the original versions on previous releases.
There is a change in members marked in the booklets for the two versions. The Eclipse edition lists J.J. Righteous on Guitar and Bronson as Samples below a picture of the band. The alternative mixed version available from Universal features a different inside picture listing Bronson on Guitar and the introduction of St1tch on Samples. Due to the masked conformed nature of the members, Righteous is still on the cover of both versions. Part of the reason XX was re-mixed/re-recorded was so that St1tch could appear on the recordings, and Bronson could do some guitar work.
produced which was directed by Dean Karr. The video is set in a Southern California
airplane hangar and features the band in specially designed masks. According to J Mann, the song "acts as a metaphor for the cycles of life and the duality of man." Drummer and founder Skinny adds "It's very much us: dark, creepy, surreal." It found moderate airplay on Uranium
and MTV2
.
According to the now defunct Mushroomhead.org, "Before I Die" was also going to have a video, but at the time, the band said they were "still shopping for a director." A montage video for "Before I Die" is featured on the band's debut DVD Mushroomhead: Volume 1
.
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead is an American industrial metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in Cleveland Warehouse District, the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative music, heavy metal, and electro-industrial...
, released in 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
. Originally released through Eclipse Records
Eclipse Records
Eclipse Records is an American indie rock record label based in Butler, New Jersey. The label is known for bringing the Cleveland band Mushroomhead to national attention. The current president of the label is Chris Poland.-History:...
, where Mushroomhead took classic tracks and re-recorded them. XX was entirely re-recorded and re-released on Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
later in the year. XX contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums – Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead (album)
Mushroomhead is the first album from industrial metal band Mushroomhead. Released independently in Cleveland, Ohio in 1995. Some songs have been remastered on XX. Many of the songs contain samples from movies. The album was repressed in 2002 along with Superbuick and M3 with alternate artwork,...
, Superbuick
Superbuick
Superbuick is the second independently released album from industrial metal band Mushroomhead. The album was released in 1996. Most of the songs were later remastered on XX which was initially released by Eclipse Records, then through Universal Records after some slight modifications and two...
, and M3
M3 (album)
M3 is the third album released by the industrial metal band Mushroomhead. It was released in 1999 on their own label. The songs Before I Die, Solitaire/Unraveling, Xeroxed and Born of Desire were later included on both the Eclipse Records and Universal Records versions of XX in 2001.-Track...
. The release of XX through Universal Records helped introduce Mushroomhead on a national and international level, while previously being known predominantly on a regional scale.
The album has sold over 300,000 copies. It was also available in a free mail-away offer for those who placed a Mushroomhead promotional banner on their website. The album (along with Savior Sorrow
Savior Sorrow
Savior Sorrow is the sixth studio album release and the follow-up to 2003's XIII by the Cleveland, Ohio based industrial metal band Mushroomhead. It is their first release through Megaforce Records...
) is also available for purchase from Mushroomhead's website.
Difference between versions
The Eclipse Records version contains a hidden prank callPrank call
A prank call is a form of practical joke committed over the telephone. Prank phone calls began to gain an America-wide following over a period of many years, as they gradually became a staple of the obscure and amusing cassette tapes traded amongst musicians, sound engineers, and media traders...
at the end of "Bwomp" extended mix. It was originally due to appear on the Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
release, but due to a law suit filed by Eclipse for the way Mushroomhead left the label, it was left off the album. The band originally stated that the only reason they originally included the prank call was because the guy that made it included Mushroomhead in the conversation, as he was said to have been a big fan of the band.
The Eclipse Records release included an instrumental track titled "Epiphany" as well as a bonus hidden track, which is the same prank phone call skit that concludes M3. The Universal Records release included additional tracks of "Fear Held Dear," "Too Much Nothing," and a cover of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
’s "Empty Spaces
Empty Spaces
"Empty Spaces" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on The Wall album in 1979.-Composition:The song is 2 minutes and 10 seconds in length and features a long introductory section, which includes an airport announcement, a reference to Pink heading for an American tour. At approximately 48 seconds...
." The version of "Empty Spaces" is placed directly in front of "Born of Desire" on the track listing to duplicate Mushroomhead's live version that would allow "Empty Spaces" as an intro of sorts to begin "Born of Desire."
The Eclipse version has all the tracks re-recorded from their original albums. The Universal versions of the songs are re-mixed and in some cases certain parts are re-recorded from the versions on the Eclipse release. So the songs on both albums are different versions of each other, and of the original versions on previous releases.
There is a change in members marked in the booklets for the two versions. The Eclipse edition lists J.J. Righteous on Guitar and Bronson as Samples below a picture of the band. The alternative mixed version available from Universal features a different inside picture listing Bronson on Guitar and the introduction of St1tch on Samples. Due to the masked conformed nature of the members, Righteous is still on the cover of both versions. Part of the reason XX was re-mixed/re-recorded was so that St1tch could appear on the recordings, and Bronson could do some guitar work.
Music videos
"Solitaire/Unraveling" is the only song on the album to be released as a single and have a music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
produced which was directed by Dean Karr. The video is set in a Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
airplane hangar and features the band in specially designed masks. According to J Mann, the song "acts as a metaphor for the cycles of life and the duality of man." Drummer and founder Skinny adds "It's very much us: dark, creepy, surreal." It found moderate airplay on Uranium
Uranium (TV series)
Uranium is an American television program about heavy metal which aired on Fuse TV in the early 2000s. After establishing herself as the host of MMUSA's Tastemakers program, Juliya Chernetsky, along with network producers, created Uranium as an outlet for the broad range of heavy metal subgenres...
and MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
.
According to the now defunct Mushroomhead.org, "Before I Die" was also going to have a video, but at the time, the band said they were "still shopping for a director." A montage video for "Before I Die" is featured on the band's debut DVD Mushroomhead: Volume 1
Volume 1 (DVD)
Volume 1 is the title of Mushroomhead's first independently-released DVD. Released on August 9, 2005, the DVD containing footage such as concerts, studio video clips and interviews....
.
Track listing
Personnel
- Steve FeltonSteve FeltonSteve "Skinny" Felton is the American drummer for Mushroomhead, Tenafly Viper and . He is one of the founding members of Mushroomhead. He can be identified as the dark skull-like face with dreadlocks...
– ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - MushroomheadMushroomheadMushroomhead is an American industrial metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in Cleveland Warehouse District, the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative music, heavy metal, and electro-industrial...
– producer - Bill Korecky – Engineer
- Pat Lewis – Engineer
- Scot Edgell – Additional vocals
- Toby WrightToby WrightToby Wright is a record producer and mixing engineer who has worked with artists such as Alice in Chains, Metallica, Sevendust and Korn. He is currently in Nashville, Tennessee working on Kara Clark's latest Ep.-Producer:...
– Mixer - Elliott Blakey – Mix Assistant
- Steven Marcussen – Mastering
- Vanessa Solowiow – Photos, layout & design
Reception
- CMJ (4/30/01, p.17) - "Employs piano, clean vocals, and strong song structures; and beckons more to Faith No MoreFaith No MoreFaith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
ca. King For A Day or Fool For A LifetimeKing for a Day... Fool for a LifetimeKing for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime is the fifth studio album by Faith No More, released in 1995. It was their first album recorded without longtime guitarist Jim Martin. The album showcased a greater variety than the band's usual heavy metal leanings, with Rolling Stone calling the end result a...
."
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Billboard 200 | #178 |
| 2001 | Top Heatseekers | #7 |
| 2001 | Top Independent Albums | #50 |
Covers
Local Dallas rapper, Baby Hulk samples "Solitaire/Unraveling" on his first album, Super Thowed Hero.External links
- View the lyrics to this album at Mushroomhead.com