Faith No More's 1997 release Album of the Year featured the talents of another new guitarist, Jon Hudson, who replaced Dean Menta (Menta only toured with the group in support of King for a Day before being dismissed). Like King for a Day, Album is more straightforward musically than past releases and remains one of FNM's most focused and concise works. Recorded in bassist Billy Gould's home studio, Album of the Year would turn out to be their last studio recording before splitting up in 1997. A trio of outstanding tracks -- "Stripsearch," "Last Cup of Sorrow," and "Ashes to Ashes" -- blend hard rock and pop melodicism the way only FNM can, while "Helpless" is an unpredictable composition that alternates between heavy guitar riffing and Mike Patton's tempered vocals. The explosive album opener, "Collision," and "Naked in Front of the Computer" show that the band can still compose prime heavy rockers, while other musical forms were included as well (the romantic ballad "She Loves Me Not," the evil boogie of "Home Sick Home," and the Middle Eastern sounds of "Mouth to Mouth"). For the gripping album closer, "Pristina," the '90s turmoil in Yugoslavia is used as a backdrop for a tale of lovers being separated due to war. Album of the Year was a fitting way for one of alt-rock's most influential and important bands to end its career. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
sick album. Anyone that is really upset Jim Martin is not part of the reunion is a fool, he was not on their 3 best albums (he barely played on Angel Dust) and he is more well known for his crazy look with sunglasses then for his guitar playing... Hudson is way better
I recall feeling somewhat disappointed with this album at the time of it's release, if only because I felt, in comparison with "Angel Dust" - which I think is one of the best records of the nineties - "Album of the Year" was a letdown. And while I still think that "Angel" is Faith No More's masterpiece, this record is pretty damn good in it's own right. Anyone recall the video for "Last Cup of Sorrow", feat. Jennifer Jason Leigh in a homage to Vertigo? Good stuff.