XX (pronounced Double X) is a compilation album by American metal band Mushroomhead, released in 2001. It was originally released through Eclipse Records, where Mushroomhead took classic tracks and remixed them. XX was re-released on Universal Records in December of the same year. XX contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums: Mushroomhead, Superbuick, and M3.
| XX | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | May 8, 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–1999 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 69:22 | |||
| Label | Universal, Eclipse, Filthy Hands | |||
| Producer | Mushroomhead, Steve Felton | |||
| Mushroomhead chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from XX | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Being the first Mushroomhead album released on a major label, XX's re-release on Universal Records introduced Mushroomhead on a national and international level, while they were previously just a regionally known band. The album has sold over 300,000 copies.[5] Musically, the album is primarily within the genres of industrial metal, nu metal and alternative metal with a diverse influence from genres such as gothic rock, punk rock, techno, and hip hop.[1]
Difference between versions
editCompared to the Universal Records release, the Eclipse Records version contains clearer production that's more faithful to the original albums, a different track listing, and a hidden prank call.[6] The original version features the newly recorded track "Epiphany". The reissued version removes "Epiphany", but includes the newly recorded track "Empty Spaces" along with remixes of "Too Much Nothing" and "Fear Held Dear".[7]
Music videos
edit"Solitaire Unraveling" is the only song from the album to have a music video produced, which was directed by Dean Karr. The video is set in a Southern California airplane hangar and shows 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 founding member Skinny adds, "It's very much us: dark, creepy, surreal." It found airplay[8] on Uranium, Kerrang! TV, MTV2, and MTV2 Europe.[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Originally appeared on | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Before I Die" | Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Bwomp" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 6:23 |
| 3. | "Solitaire Unraveling" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 4:37 |
| 4. | "These Filthy Hands" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 5:22 |
| 5. | "Never Let It Go" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 4:41 |
| 6. | "Xeroxed" | S. Felton, Popson | M3 | 2:52 |
| 7. | "The Wrist" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 5:09 |
| 8. | "Chancre Sore" | S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 2:35 |
| 9. | "The New Cult King" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 5:12 |
| 10. | "Born of Desire" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 4:00 |
| 11. | "43" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula | Mushroomhead | 5:01 |
| 12. | "Epiphany" | Schmitz | 2:55 | |
| 13. | "Episode 29" (Based on the "Hardcore Mix" version from Remix) | S. Felton, Dave Felton | Mushroomhead/Remix | 1:35 |
| 43. | "Bwomp" (Nord Mix) "Dark and Evil Joe" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick M3 | 14:51 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Originally appeared on | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Before I Die" | Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Bwomp" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 6:26 |
| 3. | "Solitaire Unraveling" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 4:27 |
| 4. | "These Filthy Hands" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 5:23 |
| 5. | "Never Let It Go" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 4:41 |
| 6. | "Xeroxed" | S. Felton, Popson | M3 | 2:57 |
| 7. | "The Wrist" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 5:09 |
| 8. | "Chancre Sore" | S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 2:36 |
| 9. | "The New Cult King" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 5:10 |
| 10. | "Empty Spaces" (Pink Floyd cover) | Roger Waters | 1:51 | |
| 11. | "Born of Desire" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | M3 | 4:01 |
| 12. | "43" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula | Mushroomhead | 4:32 |
| 13. | "Fear Held Dear" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 2:18 |
| 14. | "Too Much Nothing" | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Sekula, Joe Kilcoyne | Mushroomhead | 3:10 |
| 15. | "Episode 29" (Based on the "Hardcore Mix" version from Remix) | S. Felton, Dave Felton | Mushroomhead/Remix | 1:36 |
| 43. | "Bwomp" (Extended Version) | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | Superbuick | 9:58 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Fear Held Dear" (Live) | Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, Jason Popson, Joe Kilcoyne | 2:24 |
| 17. | "The Wrist" (Live) | S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne | 5:32 |
Personnel
editTracks noted are based on the reissued Universal Records version. JJ Righteous was featured in the booklet for the original version whereas Stitch was featured in the reissued version.[7]
Mushroomhead
- Jeffrey Nothing – vocals
- J Mann – vocals
- Skinny – drums
- Shmotz – keyboards
- JJ Righteous – guitars (tracks 1–9, 11–14)
- Pig Benis – bass (tracks 1–11, 13)
- Bronson – turntables (tracks 1, 3, 6, 9, 11); guitars (track 10)
- Gravy – guitars (tracks 10, 15)
- Stitch – turntables (track 10)
Additional personnel
- Dinner – guitars (tracks 1–9, 11–14)
- Mr. Murdernickel – bass (tracks 12, 14)
- DJ Virus – turntables (tracks 2, 4–5, 7–8, 12, 14)
- Steve Felton – producer
- Mushroomhead – producer
- Bill Korecky – engineer, mixer (Eclipse version)
- Pat Lewis – engineer
- Scot Edgell – additional vocals (track 9)
- Toby Wright – mixer (Universal version)
- Elliott Blakey – mix assistant
- Steven Marcussen – mastering (Universal version)
- Vanessa Solowiow – photos, layout and design
Reception
edit- CMJ (4/30/01, p. 17) - "Employs piano, clean vocals, and strong song structures; and beckons more to Faith No More ca. King for a Day or Fool for a Lifetime."[10]
Charts
edit| Chart (2001–02) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 178 |
| US Top Heatseekers (Billboard) | 6 |
| US Top Independent Albums (Billboard) | 50 |
References
edit- ^ a b c Henderson, Alex. "XX - Mushroomhead". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
- ^ Sterdan, Darryl (April 12, 2022). "Classic Album Review: Mushroomhead|XX". Tinnitist. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "Mushroomhead Solitaire Unraveling (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "Mushroomhead Before I Die - Solitaire Unraveling (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "Mushroomhead". tartareandesire.com. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
- ^ "Mushroomhead - X X". theprp.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ a b XX Credits (liner notes). Eclipse Records. ER9906. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "Mushroomhead Biography". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Mushroomhead Solitaire unraveling". mvdbase.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ "Mushroomhead - XX CD". cduniverse.com. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
External links
edit- View the lyrics to this album at Mushroomhead.com