Mike Patton.

Mike Patton. aka Genius. Thinking about that today.
Mike is a genius. Flat out. Hands down.
He started out being the lead singer of the alternative metal band, Faith No More, while working on Mr. Bungle. Then after his career with the band, then he started doing many side projects- which turned into some major musical advances showcasing his talent and skill. He came into Faith No More after their lead singer who moved on to another band, and with Mr. Bungle simultaneously. Mr. Bungle is an experimental/avant garde metal group, and are known for their worldwide cult following. It's awesome stuff. Mike Patton has worked with major artists, doing all sorts of vocal styling. Another band he has been in is Tomahawk filled with members of various bands, creating a truly unique sound-- even for the mind bending creativity of Mike Patton. This initial thought that got me to write this blog, was a flashback of watching a video of him and Bjork working together on her album Medulla, and how enthused I became because it is two geniuses working together. Even when he uses special or additional devices, it still remains to be freakin' amazing.
Check out some links of the pair recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwcCeQwk1QE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zefkHnDkM1s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7_B3VfrplY&feature=related
Now I need to write on her. I've barely made a dent in all the musical work he had done. Phew. I'm currently listening to Peeping Tom, where he collaborates with many artists of soo many genres (hip hop, electronica, alternative, jazz), and that only makes him more appealing. For example, one of the songs on the album is a duet of Norah Jones and he, singing an unconventional song for each artist. Except with Mike, there is nothing that is unconventional. He has played at Bizarre Fest in Germany. Sometimes I feel overstimulated while listening to his music- with the noises and sounds, coming from multiple instruments and synths or even it could be his voice (he is that talented) *gasp in amazement* His vocal range is probably the most versatile I've ever heard. He can sing falsettos, scat, beat-box, croon, rap, and make his mouth an instrument in of itself, where you can hear in all the projects. He is also known for making the layers of vocals for video games, where the sounds of the game creators use a human voice making the animal noises, like in I Am Legend. Mike is also known for producing music with John Zorn and creating and co-running the label with Greg Werckman, Ipecac Recordings. I am in awe of what this man can do, by bypassing previous ideas of what the human voice can do, creating groundbreaking music, with whatever he touches. His lyrics are also just as bold as he is, being blunt and sarcastic, as in "I know that a-holes grow on trees, but I'm just here to trim the leaves," which I enjoy laughing while listening. That lyric gets me everytime. I love his style so much. He is a genius, for his talent and span of work that is so wide. He is a major influence on music today, and will continue to be. I love hearing whatever he is currently working on. :D

Kind of glad my mom got me into him (along with my inevitable adoration for Tom Waits). I love having parents so into music. Really I do.

**Just a warning, some of his music takes time to enjoy, or you may not like it at all. But that's okay. He has a devoted following. ;) ***