Weird Revolution
by Butthole Surfers
Metascore
46

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. The A.V. Club
    30
    Weird Revolution sounds dated and quaint, both in its "Pepper" rehashes ("Dracula From Houston," "The Shame Of Life") and in its halfhearted attempts at caustic shock ("Shit Like That") and misfit mission statements ("The Weird Revolution").
  2. Magnet
    20
    In spite of its shortcomings, there's something fascinating about this saccharine new Butthole brew.... Like driving by a head-on collision late at night, it's almost impossible to avert your eyes. [#51, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Pitchfork
    4
    The Butthole Surfers have finally become shocking only in their sheer banality, like a watered-down mix of the worst Beck and Perry Farrell material you can imagine.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2001
87
#87 Most Shared Album of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. Mystichydra
    Aug 27, 2019
    10
    A rather polarizing outing from the Surfers on their last release (Although, they are deep within the works of an upcoming record. I amA rather polarizing outing from the Surfers on their last release (Although, they are deep within the works of an upcoming record. I am especially psyched about it, particularly as they have much more control and no real specific finish date.) which feels eons ago.

    The backstory of this album includes aliens and Native Americans, serious pressure from the label concerning "radio-friendly" material and cost/date limitations. Is this the band at their most unhinged or most creative? Hardly. Then why such a high score? Nostalgia aside (I actually saw them the one and only time while during this tour. I was just much too young to have access to their shows), Gibby Haynes and co. are actually sold songwriters. These songs are structured. Many the cliche, formulaic scaffolding of verse-chorus-verse. But, with the exception of Dracula From Houston (which was utilized quite often, including on the Scrubs soundtrack. Good job, label compromise and commercialization) they are genuinely solid songs. Purists will undoubtedly be appalled, and the polish on this album can't be ignored.

    Which isn't to say the "weirdness" on Weird Revolution is false advertising. Had this been nearly any other group, it's avant-garde nature will surely be a turn off to the masses. This record unfortunately falls square in the middle of being unappealing to both their base as well as Billboard. However, I do know this record gained some new fans. If one wanted to try venturing towards the unconventional but not wade too deep, this is a good venture. And indeed, with hits like The Shame of Life (being someone a parody of Kid Rock, while encapsulating his best qualities) and Venus, the palpability of those melodies are ear pleasing and introduced the band to many who otherwise would be oblivious.

    Hayne's old group The Jackofficers (despite only releasing one album, they were actually influential and ahead of their time with samples and weird indie-electro) have much influence in this revolution. And therein lies the unusual wedding of influences for this outing. Songs like Intelligent Guy, Mexico, They Came In (thought the After the Astronaut version is immensely beter), and The Last Astronaut all clearly have the Surfer's trademark approaches and contain just as much bizarreness as any of their prior records. It's just done so in a cleaner recording, leaving it more sanitized. And Jet Fighter is frankly one of the best songs ever written, let alone this album. I can't believe how few people have even heard it, nearly every single person I've played it for loved it. And this album is vastly underrated and unfortunately and unfairly criminalized. I can't wait for their next album, coming out soon. Allegedly.    … Full Review »
  2. MCRR
    Apr 21, 2015
    4
    Ardent Butthole puritans will no doubt be a little disappointed with this effort. A somewhat commercial attempt in reclaiming their formerArdent Butthole puritans will no doubt be a little disappointed with this effort. A somewhat commercial attempt in reclaiming their former glory, all be it an unsuccessful one! There are a few numbers that try and hold the album together but it isn't enough. A relatively weak album by their own standards.… Full Review »
  3. GuttedPete
    Jul 7, 2007
    0
    the buttholes have been my favourite band for 20 years. this album made my fingers go numb with shock at it's awfulness, and for the the buttholes have been my favourite band for 20 years. this album made my fingers go numb with shock at it's awfulness, and for the first time made me regret my 18 year old buttholes tattoo. it's closer to 'they might be giants' than 'the shah sleeps in lee harvey's grave. i think i'm going to cry...… Full Review »
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