Mike Patton: Mondo Cane

Mike Patton: Mondo Cane
Faith No More was one of those 90s one hit wonders that most modern rock fans probably just vaguely remember. While “Epic” was a huge hit, the band never really managed to scrounge up any other type of commercial success in America. However, lead singer Mike Patton has turned into one of the most prolific musicians of his generation. Recording well over thirty albums with bands such as Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, and Peeping Tom, as well as collaborative albums with X-ecutioners, Dan the Automator, and John Erik Kaada. That does not even include his solo albums. On his third solo album, Patton covers Italian pop music of the 1950s and 1960s.
With how weird and experimental some of Patton’s projects have been (I’m looking at you Phantomas), it is no surprise that this idea could spring from his head; what is a surprise is how well he speaks Italian. Upon doing some research, Patton was formerly married to an Italian artist and owned a home in Italy so I guess it makes sense but that does not necessarily make it any less shocking.
For the most part, Patton tries to stay true to the original. He croons out tunes like Massimo Ranieri‘s “Scalinatella” with no hint of experimentalism. There would be no reason to believe that the man singing this song with perfect diction and seriousness is the same man responsible for Fatih No More.
Some tracks are not content staying faithful to the Italian pop tunes to which the album pays homage. A screamed version of The Blackmen’s “Urlo Negro” sticks out as the most outlandish cover included on the album. Although other tracks like “20 KM Al Giorno” sounds like an Italian Tom Waits.
What is interesting is that despite being completely in Italian, Mondo Cane might be one of the most easily accessible Mike Patton releases. The album is poppy and includes beautiful orchestral instrumentation. It is obviously an atypical release but Mondo Cane is probably worth checking out.
Rating: 7.6/10
MP3: Mike Patton “Scalinatella”
Buy: iTunes or Insound!