Capillary Action - So Embarassing

Despite having one of the worst covers ever to drop out of an envelope, this is actually a surprisingly enjoyable record. That is to say, it nicely satisfies the part of oneself that has grown bored of the existing Mr Bungle back catalogue. The instrumentation is tremendously well-executed and the arrangements well- considered. Thankfully, there are also enough hooks to justify the outrageously indulgent flights of progmanship: Elevator Fuck, in particular, is a fruity and distinctive little excursion in wry jazz pastiche. So Embarrassing's main weakness is that Capillary Action mastermind John Pfeffer closely apes Mike Patton's vocal style yet lacks the prowess to sell it quite so well. Certainly that's a genetic failing he can hardly do much about, but the memory of the Fantomas frontman's soaring croon sliding faultlessly into rasping cackle haunts this album for its otherwise engrossing 31 minutes.