California (Mr. Bungle album)

California
Studio album by Mr. Bungle
Released	July 13, 1999
Recorded	1998
Genre	Various
Length	44:17
Label	Warner Brothers Records
Producer	Mr. Bungle
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Alternative Press 8/99, p.93 Pitchfork 1 Sep 99
Mr. Bungle chronology
Disco Volante (1995) California (1999)

California 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 on June 8, 1999; 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. 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). Going by credits alone, 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 1999 and 2000) from Mr. Bungle, as they have officially disbanded.

Line-up

• Mike Patton - artwork concept, vocals, keyboards
• Trevor Dunn - artwork concept, bass
• Danny Heifetz - drums
• Bär McKinnon - saxophone, keyboards
• Trey Spruance - guitar

Track listing

1. "Sweet Charity" (Patton) - 5:05
2. "None of Them Knew They Were Robots" (words: Spruance music: Patton/Spruance/Heifetz) - 6:03
3. "Retrovertigo" (Dunn) - 4:59
4. "The Air-Conditioned Nightmare" (words: Patton music: Patton/McKinnon) - 3:55
5. "Ars Moriendi" (Patton) - 4:10
6. "Pink Cigarette" (words: Patton music: Patton/Spruance) - 4:55
7. "Golem II: The Bionic Vapour Boy" (Spruance) - 3:34
8. "The Holy Filament" (Dunn) - 4:04
9. "Vanity Fair" (words: Patton music: Patton/Dunn) - 2:58
10. "Goodbye Sober Day" (words: Patton music: Patton/McKinnon) - 4:29

Guest musicians

• Bill Banovetz - English horn
• Sam Bass - Cello
• Ben Barnes - Violin, viola
• Henri Ducharme - Accordion
• Timb Harris - Trumpet
• Marika Hughes - Cello
• Eyvind Kang - Violin, viola
• Carla Kihlstedt - Violin, viola
• Michael Peloquin - Harmonica
• David Phillips - Pedal steel guitar
• Larry Ragent - French horn
• Jay Stebley - Cymbalom
• Aaron Seeman - Piano on track 6
• William Winant - Timpani, Mallets, Tam tam, Bass drum

Personnel

• Justin Phelps - additional engineer
• Josh Heller - additional engineer
• Trey Spruance - engineer, production strategy
• Adam Muñoz - additional engineer, mixing, digital Editing
• Gibbs Chapman - mixing
• Rob Worthington - mixing
• George Horn - mastering
• Mr. Bungle - producer
• Billy Anderson - engineer
• Mackie Osborne - Layout and graphic design
• Malcom Hillier - Photography
• Ryan Cooper - Publicist
• Elizabeth Gregory - Legal representation