Now that Sol Invictus is officially streaming worldwide, we want to know what Faith No More fans think of the album.
We’ve had a lot of insightful and incisive comments here already but feel free to tell us more below.
STREAMING DETAILS
Here is where you can listen around the world from 11 May:
US – NPR (11 May) and Pandora (13 May)
UK – NME
Chile – Rock & Pop
Canada – Exclaim!
Germany, Austria and Switzerland – PIAS
Netherlands 3voor12
Poland CGM
Czech Republic Musicserver.cz
Italy Rolling Stone
Serbia Nocturne
Hungary Recorder
Chile Rock & Pop
Colombia El Tiempo
Uruguay El País
Peru El Comercio
Finland Rumba
Belgium HUMO
Argentina Rock & Pop
Brazil Folha de Sao Paulo
Greece Popaganda
Bolivia El Comercio
Ecuador El Comercio / El tiempo
Venezuela El tiempo
I wish the song Sol Invictus was longer..could have been used again later in the album like a reprise too or something anyways…great song…great album…my other favorites are Seperation Anxiety,Matador,Rise of the Fall and From the Dead. Even after not liking them at first Motherfucker and Superhero really grew on me. Could go on and on, but yeah…great stuff and makes me only hope for more soon from FNM
Ok, I’m not sure if anyone is reading this anymore but I’ve listened to the album 20 or 30 times by now and can give some type of opinion at this point. The album as a whole is not what I expected but then again FNM albums have never been. What sets the album apart is the atmosphere that each song creates. I think a lot of that is related to the keyboard/piano work. Good job Roddy! Without a critical analysis, here is how I would rank the album contents. Feel free to argue against it:
1. Separation Anxiety
2. Matador
3. Superhero
4. Motherfucker
5. Come of Shame
6. Sol Invictus
7. Sunny Side Up
8. Rise of the Fall
9. From the Dead
10. Black Friday
Of course, this will probably change for me over time.
… I should add that I’m only basing that criticism on three of their Drones singles, so it may not apply to the rest of the album.
@Benrun – Very good point about SI being more comparable to AD and KFAD if they all only had ten tracks. Although, I’m thinking I would still prefer AD & KFAD, but only because I’m partial to more experimental music. Other wise, if I’m trying to be objective, all three albums do seem to be equals.
@Outshined39 – Yeah, if you’re a FNM fan, you have to be able to appreciate a wide array of genres. The only gripe I have with artists for experimenting is when they abandon their core identity and the quality suffers for it – which is usually what happens with experimentation. FNM has never abandoned their core sound when genre hopping, every album sounds distinctly FNM. And then there’s that quality control they’re known for, which has a lot to do with them not changing their core sound. I think that’s why they can get away with what they do. If other artists kept their core sound, quality music would come from it, and I’m guessing their fans would be more accepting of experimentation. For example, Muse’ new album Drones is dividing fans, due to this problem, I think. They have abandoned their “bleeding heart” sound – their identity as musicians, and because of this, Muse is no longer playing to their strengths and the song writing is suffering because of it. The same occurred with the fourth album releases for VAST, 30 Seconds To Mars and Matchbox Twenty. They all largely dropped the sound they excelled at for their fourth albums. So when I see fans of any band vent how “they changed,” from what I can tell, it has little to do with the fact that the group tried some thing new, and more to do with the fact that they just suck at what they’re trying to do. Every artist should know their limitations. If any band is so desperate to revamp their entire sound, they would be better off parting ways and teaming up with other artists who can deliver a fresh sound with out forcing anything. Side projects, make sense here. With out FNM’s side projects we might have a band which would be subject to the same fate as those previously mentioned. Who knows.
Anyway, it’s also true as you said, there are still those fans which are so close minded they can only listen to one genre. Then FNM was never for them.
Paper here in its entertainment magazine gave it 3.5/4! And chose as ‘album of the week!’ It was actually a great review and the reviewer sounded bounding with excitement! Wow for this albums acclaim thus far, I just hope it translates into good sales.
Meta critic has it on 87! Which is elite.
“It’s a work all it’s own, but I’d have a hard time understanding how anyone who likes even one of their albums wouldn’t like this one.”
I agree. I’ve even seen a few people say they love all of their previous material, but that the new album is a huge letdown. Then again, this is a pretty small group among the majority of FNM fans who appear to find Sol Invictus good to great.
Seems like many who think the record is terrible heavily lean towards the metal side of rock.
Benrun, agreed. Billy talked about Sol Invictus as the motto of ancient Romans who worshipped the sun. The song itself strikes me as a Roman soldier, world-weary, returning home after years of war and syncretism, unsure of what god to believe in. He wants to worship God, but he is unsure, and the old rituals don’t feel like they are working anymore. It’s a great song about the loss of faith through hard experience.
Yeah, Rise of the Fall channels Blood and Mr. Bungle. The avalanche crescendos are just great on Rise and Matador. Made me forget all about Miley and the Biebs!
BenM awesome observation there, Blood and Rise of the Fall fit together pretty well…I’d like to listen to a whole song of that!
Fuck this is a good record. So much imagery while listening to it. I already can’t wait for the next album. Cone of shame blows my head off, Separation anxiety feels like the bastard love child of Tomahawk and Faith No More. Rise of the fall strikes a bungle like nerve, almost with a what-could-be an Italian piano accordion sound in the front half and then a touch of carnival in the middle. It feels like it’ll turn on a dime but it keeps you on the edge by not doing it. Such good balance. From the dead is just great. Patton’s singing style is definitely different you can hear more maturity in his voice but he sings far better now than TRT era if you’re asking me (which you’re probably not).
Sol Invictus is great. It doesn’t have the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink length of KFAD and AD, which actually works in its favor. It’s FNM sounding as FNM, but not sounding like twenty something hotheads nor as middle aged men trying to recapture their youth. This is a very succinct album which makes you want to listen to all of it every time you start playing it. Whereas with AD, KFAD, and AOTY, I almost never listened to the whole thing in one sitting. With any of the older albums there’s an hour of music of which I would rather skip twenty minutes. Even if I like every song, like on AD, I rarely need to eat the whole meal.
As for lyrics, I swore Patton was saying “like it’s old in its breath” on Cone of Shame. I’m deaf. And the lyrics to the title track, to me, reflect something of the angst in the West, feeling like we’re way past our prime (“floor boards are creaking, and the roof is old and leaking”), and the asking about where “my Faith” is, suggests, to me, the apparent lack of will power or conviction. Why put it in those religious terms any way? Perhaps because we are on a collision course with religious fanatics who are convinced of their truth. “Peace ain’t coming our way”. But ultimately the song sings of hope.
I do not, for one moment, think Patton had any of this in mind, but the mood of the song, and the lyrics, suggest it to my mind.
I completely understand the ambivalence toward ‘Rise of the Fall’, in a way it feels almost too…’obviously’ FNM?…while the rest of the album feels like more of a step forward. I quite like the juxtaposition of the verses/chorus and there are some lovely melodies but again it does feel like there could be more to the ending.
But that is the only critique I can authentically claim to have about the LP thus far. It is honestly superb, through and through. It has me obsessing over not just specific tracks, but specific moments within tracks where the vocals and instrumentation are just sublime.
Also in ‘Rise’ I hear what most have referred to as the Mr Bungle moment although the connection that stood out to me was how evocative the track was of ‘Blood’ at certain points. Right down to the key, tempo and guitar part. I did a little mini mash-up during a bout of insomnia last night to show what I mean: http://benmitchell.x10.mx/music/bloodrise.mp3
I’m not calling them unoriginal, just an example of one of the more nostalgic moments on the new record 🙂
Todd…Amen!!!
Ty…The way I read into Rise of the Fall lyrically is that in the void of life after losing love (Separation Anxiety…Cone of Shame), countries engage in games with human lives and destroy each other and themselves…leading to annihilation of some ethnic groups, raping, pillaging, raising a white flag won’t help, earthquakes remake the flame, leaving a burning rubble that we have to build up again (on to Black Friday). I kind of like that it ends with a whimper b/c that’s how some empires end (Rome, ….maybe America one day). I mentioned to Patton the appearance of themes in the track order and mentioned the middle tracks as feeling about America. He said, “Yep, there’s some of that”. Of course I am not the a-hole fan that asked Mike Patton to explain his lyrics, what I just mentioned was the entirety of that conversation beyond me saying that I was real impressed as usual and him saying the usual line of him liking that people have to figure them out and get to make of them what they will. So I obviously see Black Friday about America, but kind of see Rise of the Fall the same way, about empires rising and falling. I feel like the ending ought to leave you feeling kind of let down and empty.
Thanks Admin for making this the best FNM site on the web. Props to Billy Gould for getting this new album to happen and writing songs that even Mike Patton loves. SI continues to inspire me. It’s like We’re not all dead because we turned 40 or 50. You can still conjure the magic like FNM is doing and enjoy life. It’s not over yet. This music is helping me to restore my faith in life and keep going, keep being creative. This is the only band that I ever really followed. It’s a miracle they are better than ever.
I’ve said it before that, Rise of the Fall has me confused. It had the potential to be the most catchy the most crescendo driven Eargasm ever but the song really dips away in the second half.
As for the rest, well, I freaking in love with them. SSU is a hit in waiting, SA is so far my favorite, Cone is ridiculously good but ATM the song im most listening to is Black Friday! That is one helluva catchy tune with all sorts of dynamics going at once. Another hit in waiting IMO. Ohh can’t forget Matador, never has there been a quicker six minutes breeze by.
Everything I could have hoped for. SI has its own identity and that is an amazing achievement. Its not perfect, too much mid tempo and could be longer but overall it’s a great, predictably unpredictable album.
I ll never forget the close of SSU and hearing Separation Anxiety. I think Black Friday has to be my favorite track.
Major props to Bill Gould. Major.
It’s all that I could have hoped for. It’s a work all it’s own, but I’d have a hard time understanding how anyone who likes even one of their albums wouldn’t like this one. You can’t really compare it with anything, even other FNM records, but I’ll try. Structurally and thematically it is most like the WCAL album…both have opening tracks which almost sound like mission statements, both are pretty dark but funny, both have some perceived statements about money / greed (Black Friday and Greed / As The Worm Turns), and both end with the theme of beginning again (New Beginnings is about entering this world and then entering the next world, just as is From The Dead “Open heaven’s doors”), then of course the 10 song structure. Of course you could also see that IY ends with “Spirit” which is similar in theme as well, and Faster Disco talks about the rising sun washing away tears and killing the evil ones. Anyway, many have discussed where this falls in terms of greatness. I think it’s a very strong album, but I wouldn’t want to hold it against AD or KFAD that they have more tracks on them which could be termed “fat”. If you trimmed each album down to just the 10 best songs I think all the albums are pretty competitive with each other. KFAD just has the distinction of giving a whole lot of good songs. I really have no idea which FNM album I like the most, I just know I like TRT least and listen to it least…which is still a lot and and I love every song on it!
The bar has been set high..very high once again by these magnificent bastards.
Unlike Jesus, Faith No More deliver a resurrection for the fucking ages. There isn’t a bit of fat on this beast. Everyone is better.. at everything.. in every way.
This plays like a prologue..a threatening portent of a coming flood..of more.
5 stars….10/10….A+….Award worthy……whatever your preferred grading system…A Classic rock n roll record.
Merci Nessie
I hate to be a homer but this record is really, really good. FNM have always meant so much to me and once Sunny Side Up played I knew it was gonna be a good record. Everything flows well, it sounds like them, but doesn’t at the same time. Which, is what FNM is-expecting the unexpected. So glad they are back and better than ever!
OK, love, love love it. Sequencing of the album is great. Hearing the studio version of Matador is a treat. I really like the live version so this is different. Early standouts are the obvious that others have called out: Separation Anxiety, Cone of Shame, Matador, Superhero, MF, From the Dead. It’s tight at 42 minutes, but hopefully we get another album in the next 12-18 months.
Listening to it for the first time now. Too many thoughts to articulate right now but I just have a BIG FUCKING GRIN ON MY FACE BECAUSE ITS A NEW FNM ALBUM.
I really loved this record, that was worthing 18 years of wait. However, SI is too short, I would’ve loved a few more songs. My favourite songs so far is Separation Anxiety and Sol Invictus. They sounds typically like FNM. It’s like a rebirth put through a song. I was stunned when I first heard the whole record and I can’t wait having the physical records on my little hands next Monday.
I must say I was kinda surprised when I heard Matador’s studio version as I was accostumed to the live versions and a bit disappointed but now I sing my heart out when the ‘Let the Dead live’ part comes around. Same with From the Dead. I think after few more hearings I will definitely have SI under my skin and love it to bits. I’m pretty sure this record will be successful so we can enjoy them in live at its fullest.
Thanks to admin for the links :*)
Stand out tracks for me are Sunny Side Up, Separation Anxiety, Rise Of The Fall, Motherfucker, Matador and Cone of Shame… I couldn’t narrow it down any further. Only weaknesses of the album to me is how Motherfucker sounds unfinished and I’m not liking the “Ooh’s” on Cone of Shame – it’s kind of cliche. Otherwise, incredibly strong album. The consistency in quality is kind of nuts to me… I can see why critics are loving it (although it probably helps that SI is more accessible than some of FNM’s past albums). Also a good sign to see how varied the favorites are for fans; seems to be the mark of a good album. Dunno how I would rate SI with the rest of their discography so early in, especially since I just became aware of FNM just three months ago. But it might be right behind AD and KFAD for me.
Best FNM album since Angel Dust, period.
My first listen was today on NPR. Gone through it twice. All I can say so far is it definitely has a different sound. My favorite today is Separation Anxiety. I could also see that one fitting in as a single with what’s left of rock radio today.
Simply I got addicted to SI, for over three weeks I have been listening to it over and over again (to excuse myself – I have already ordered the record, so somehow I feel excused, I just couldn’t wait anymore). At first there were some tracks, I appreciated less, let’s say – Rise of the Fall or Motherfucker, but now it’s an integrated piece of art to me. Each track is awesome and some of them have became my favorite FNM’s tracks – Cone of shame, Separation anxiety and Matador of course are just brilliant. Yes, the record is different from their previous ones, but it’s FNM, so since the begininng I knew I could expect only unexpected. The only thing – why is it so short? Anyway- thank you, FNM and I hope for more records. Welcome home my friends.
…and now I’m satisfied. Sol Invictus is a real piece of art! Thank you, Faith No More! And Please go on writing music and hopefully there are many more records to come. See you in munich, 31.05.2015!
First of all: sorry for my Bad English! I’m 40 years old now, and I’m a huge fan of the band since I first listened to TRT in 1989. AS many of you, I already ordered my CD copy and the Vinyl but I got the torrent download, too. To be honest, when I first heard the singles Motherf… and Superhero I didn’t feel very comfortable, let me tell you. Somehow that wasn’t my Faith No More. Epic, Midlife Crisis, Ricochet, Evidence, Ashes to a ashes were great singles in its time and when those songs came out I couldn’ stop listening to them. I didn’ get that feeling when I heard MF and SH.And: Sol Invictus is a very short album compared to TRT, AD and KFAD. In all of the FNM records in the past there was so much to discover…maybe besides AOTY. But then I first listened to SI entirely,
I love it more and more. It’s a solid 8/10. Awesome stuff.
I can’t think of many bands that can record an album after almost 20 years of creative silence and have the new material sit so comfortably next to the rest of their catalog. Is it TRT or AD? No, but I wouldn’t want it to be. Sol Invictus truly feels like a natural progression. I’m not having to force myself to like it solely on the bias of being a fanboy.
For me, I think what the album does so well is blend a unique balance of melody and madness that is so FNM; never getting too high or too low for long periods of listening. As Mark C mentioned, the collection tracks flow really nice together.
The title track, Sol Invictus, and closer, From the Dead, are absolutely perfect bookends. Sol Invictus gently eases you into the rest of the album, and was a fantastic choice as an opener.
When I first heard Superhero, I initially feared that Mike’s vocals would be excessively layered, and this gave me pause for concern that the album would be woefully overproduced. After hearing the final cut of the record, however, those fears have been alleviated. Superhero’s mix is its own beast, which in the context of the album is just fine. I do like the song though, its aggressive posture is a nice follow up to the title track, and has a really good riff. “Sunrise is here to save us now”, break is my favorite part. This is one song that I actually prefer live, as I think it really shines and sounds outstanding when it’s stripped down a bit.
Sunny Side Up is one of my favorites. It’s got some lounge, some funk, and some fire-breathing Patton. I actually like the lyrics too. Everyone is going to attach their own meaning to a song, but for me it has something to do with every day being a new beginning with the choices we make. Depending on the performance, there are times I like this song live, where others I prefer the studio rendition.
Separation Anxiety is perhaps the track that sounds most like old FNM to me. This song brings the energy to the album. Love the brooding bass and the general arrangement of this track. “I can’t let you go, ’cause you’re a part of me, not apart from me”. Really kicks it up a notch from there. Could be an instant classic.
Cone of Shame is such an interesting tune. I dig the growing tension and release, as Patton intimately narrates over bright guitar notes, setting the scene, then erupts into an unapologetic explosion of vicious lyrics. Another favorite of mine, the second half is probably the heaviest section of the album: bass, guitar, drums, Patton, all punching you in the face.
Rise of the Fall is the song that has grown on me the most. I think it had a ton of potential, but shortly after the Mr. Bungle inspired part, the last minute and a half kinda drags on with no audible payoff.
Black Friday is great. Every listen gives me something different. It’s another tune that gets better and better each time I hear it. The contrast of acoustic guitar, cathedral clapping, funky rhythm and bass, and punk overtones make it stand out from the rest of the music. I’m not even sure I can describe this song correctly! Good track to come after Rise of the Fall. Buy it!
I really prefer this version of MF’er over the single. Roddy sounds more sinister, eerie, and authoritative. I hear a richer sound and different textures than before. The build up is more powerful, and the end is sufficiently heavier with thunderous drums and guitar. I love it.
Matador is a track that has really evolved over the years since they first debuted it several years ago, and for the better. Depending on your perspective, Matador might be the magnum opus of the album. Patton’s turns back the clock on this vocal performance, and it’s amazing. Just an epic piece of music, done the FNM way. We even get some Angel Dust-esque keyboards around the 4:30 mark before a brilliant ending. I like hearing Gould’s bass more prominently than before (leaked version).
I love the happy-go-lucky, easy going feeling I get with From the Dead, leaving things on an optimistic note and hopefully foreshadowing future FNM material. “I can see you shining like the morning sun, hear your lion roar”. Patton’s vocals just dip in and out, up and down so sweetly and effortlessly throughout the entire song. Great way to wrap up the album.
Looking forward to having this record in my FNM rotation for years to come, it’s a wonderful addition.
I gotta say I really dig “Rise of the Fall.” Seems like this song isn’t getting any love. Also, seem as though this might be “the song” they don’t play live as it is the only song from SI that they have yet to play. I think It rocks. Incredible album…there will always be haters…..it’s FNM through and through. They’re back…and they are here to stay.
I have pre-purchased the CD and T-Shirt so I just had to download the torrent (without feeling too much remorse) that was available a few weeks ago.
I believe the mixing of the “official” stream is better. Maybe it’s just me?
Love the album, it’s Faith No More. They sound like themselves but they don’t. And that’s what they are and always have been about.
Just amazing….thank you NPR Radio. It’s truly an album that flows top to bottom. I only wish it was longer but there is no filler just one great song after another. Rise of the Fall was a great unexpected surprise that can play on the radio. From the Dead is the perfect ending and emotional as Mike sings WELCOME HOME MY FRIENDS. Wow!
Nice – had a few different tracks to you that took time too.
What do i think? Great album,like expected. My favorite songs are Separation Anxiety and Superhero. Probably because i love most heavy Faith No more.I am their longtime fan and i feel so happy (more like in heaven) that they are back again and creating new music. It’s a great album,and i really wish that sells respectfully well. And i’dlike to appeal here that every fan of FNM should buy original album.Simply because i wouldn’t want that Sol Invictus is their very last record.
I’m thrilled to see you guys back,only rock band i really respect and praise and Sol Invictus is certainly hand in hand with their previous catalogue. Fuck..can’t wait to lay my hands on my copy!!! :))))))
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Thanks Ben. You were getting emotional on Twitter!
When I first listened to Angel Dust I was pretty underwhelmed. I was expecting them to pick up where they left off with The Real Thing. I wanted “Epic” or “Surprise You’re Dead” part II and didn’t get them. Instead I got some immediately accessible tracks like “Everything’s Ruined” and “Midlife Crisis”, bit the rest was pretty much, “What the %#*@”? Then, after a few spins and a few days to sink in, I thought the album was a masterpiece. Angel Dust has been in my top five albums of all time ever since.
King For Day an Album Of The Year were great but never caught me the same way. I just can’t ever find the right mood to sit down and listen to either album all the way through. I like different parts of each album depending on how I feel that day.
Eighteen years later I get to listen to Sol Invictus (I downloaded it but have already paid for my pre-ordered CD and vinyl, so feel okay about doing it). For me, the experience had been very much like Angel Dust. I immediately loved “Superhero”, “Sunny Side Up”, and “From The Dead”. The rest was “What the %#&, how boring and uninteresting”.
I really disliked tracks like “Sol Invictus”, “Separation Anxiety”, Cone of Shame”, and “Matador”. I was just skipping those tracks after 20-30 seconds.
Then after listening in the car one day it suddenly sunk in. I loved all of it. My favourite tracks ended up being the ones I really disliked. Rather than skip them I was repeating them. The intensity of some parts is amazing ot just wasn’t immediately apparent.
That’s why I love FNM. They take you on a journey to unexpected places rather than dish out the same old stiff over and over (see Red Hot Chili Peppers for am example of doing that). You get to appreciate different styles that you may not have otherwise experienced.
Sol Invictus is their best since Angel Dust.
First impression is that I’m very happy and very impressed. I’d voiced concerns that the reviews were a little too gushy and I didn’t want to buy into them too much, but now that I hear it in full I understand completely. It’s like they never left. It also slapped me upside the head at points in true FNM fashion. Will need a fair few listens to get a proper sense of it but I expect that’ll be what most of today will end up devoted to.