XX (album)

"XX" (pronounced "Double X") is the major label debut album of alternative metal band Mushroomhead, released in 2001. Originally released as a compilation album through Eclipse Records, "XX" was entirely re-recorded and re-released on Universal Records later in the year. "XX" contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums – "Mushroomhead", "Superbuick", and "M3". The release of "XX" through Universal Records helped introduce Mushroomhead on a national and international level, while previously being known predominantly on a regional scale.

The album sold over 300,000 copies. [ [http://www.tartareandesire.com/bands/Mushroomhead/2665/] ] It was also available in a free mail-away offer for those who placed a Mushroomhead promotional banner on their website.

Eclipse Records version

Infobox Album |
Name = XX
Type = compilation
Artist = Mushroomhead


Released = start date|2001|05|8
Recorded = 2001 – 2001 at Mars Studio in Cleveland, Ohio
Genre = Nu metal
Length = 71:27
Label = Eclipse Records
Filthy Hands
Producer = Mushroomhead
Steve Felton
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:l7ke4j375waq link] |
Last album = "M3" (1999)
This album = "XX" (2001)
Next album = "Remix 2000" (2002)

Track listing

#"Before I Die" (Steve Felton, Jeff Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 3:14
#"Bwomp" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 6:24
#"Solitaire/Unraveling" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 4:37
#"These Filthy Hands" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:23
#"Never Let It Go" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne) – 4:42
#"Xeroxed" (S. Felton, Popson) – 2:53
#"The Wrist" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:09
#"Chancre Sore" (S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 2:35
#"The New Cult King" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:12
#"Born of Desire" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 4:01
#"43" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula) – 5:02
#"Epiphany" (Schmitz) – 2:56
#"Episode 29" (S. Felton, Dave Felton) – 1:35

* Tracks 14-42 are silent 4 second tracks

43. "Bwomp (Extended version)" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 14:51
#* "Contains a hidden prank call"

Personnel

* Steve Felton – Producer
* Mushroomhead – Producer
* Bill Korecky – Engineer
* Pat Lewis – Engineer
* Scot Edgell – Additional vocals

Universal Records version

Infobox Album |
Name = XX
Type = Album
Artist = Mushroomhead


Released = start date|2001|12|4
Recorded = 2001 at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California
Genre = Alternative metal
Nu metal
Length = 69:22
Label = Universal Records
Filthy Hands
Producer = Mushroomhead
Steve Felton
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:l7ke4j375waq link] |
Last album = "M3" (1999)
This album = "XX" (2001)
Next album = "Remix 2000" (2002)

Track listing

#"Before I Die" (Steve Felton, Jeff Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 3:13
#"Bwomp" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 6:26
#"Solitaire/Unraveling" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 4:27
#"These Filthy Hands" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:23
#"Never Let It Go" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne) – 4:41
#"Xeroxed" (S. Felton, Popson) – 2:57
#"The Wrist" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:09
#"Chancre Sore" (S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 2:36
#"The New Cult King" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 5:10
#"Empty Spaces" (Roger Waters) – 1:51
#"Born of Desire" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 4:01
#"43" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula) – 4:32
#"Fear Held Dear" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Joe Kilcoyne) – 2:18
#"Too Much Nothing" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Sekula, Joe Kilcoyne) – 3:10
#"Episode 29" (S. Felton, Dave Felton) – 1:36
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"(silence)" – 0:04
#"Bwomp (Extended version)" (S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne) – 9:58

UK bonus tracks

The UK pressing of the album included two bonus tracks, pushing the number of tracks from 43 to 45. The following bonus tracks are:

16. "Fear Held Dear" (Live) – 2:24
17. "The Wrist" (Live) – 5:32

Personnel

* Steve Felton – Producer
* Mushroomhead – Producer
* Bill Korecky – Engineer
* Pat Lewis – Engineer
* Scot Edgell – Additional vocals
* Toby Wright – Mixer
* Elliott Blakey – Mix Assistant
* Steven Marcussen – Mastering
* Vanessa Solowiow – Photos, layout & design

Difference between versions

The Eclipse Records version contains a hidden prank call at the end of "Bwomp" extended mix. It was originally due to appear on the Universal Records release, but due to a law suit filed by Eclipse for the way Mushroomhead left the label, it was left off the album. The band originally stated that the only reason they originally included the prank call was because the guy that made it included Mushroomhead in the conversation, as he was said to have been a big fan of the band.

The Eclipse Records release included an instrumental track titled "Epiphany" as well as a bonus hidden track, which is the same prank phone call skit that concludes "M3". The Universal Records release included additional tracks of "Fear Held Dear," "Too Much Nothing," and a cover of Pink Floyd’s "Empty Spaces." The version of "Empty Spaces" is placed directly in front of "Born of Desire" on the track listing to duplicate Mushroomhead's live version that would allow "Empty Spaces" as an intro of sorts to begin "Born of Desire."

All of the songs on the Universal edition have been re-recorded and differ from the originals, the ones on the Eclipse version were all taken directly from the previous albums (with the exception of "Epiphany" and the bonus "Bwomp" with the prank call at the end, neither of which appeared on the Universal release).

There is a change in members marked in the booklets for the two versions. The Eclipse edition lists J.J. Righteous on Guitar and Bronson as Samples below a picture of the band. The alternative mixed version available from Universal features a different inside picture listing Bronson on Guitar and the introduction of St1tch on Samples. Due to the masked conformed nature of the members, Righteous is still on the cover of both versions. The re-recorded versions on the Universal edition feature the initial XX lineup without Stitch on the recordings but Stitch appears in the photos as he was added shortly after the recordings were done and JJ Righteous had parted.

Contrary to popular belief, both the Universal and Eclipse editions were produced in "Q-pack packaging."

Music videos

"Solitaire/Unraveling" is the only song on the album to be released as a single and have a music video produced which was directed by Dean Karr. The video is set in a Southern California airplane hangar and features 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 founder Skinny adds "It's very much us: dark, creepy, surreal." It found moderate airplay on "Uranium" and MTV2.

According to the now defunct Mushroomhead.org, "Before I Die" was also going to have a video, but at the time, the band said they were "still shopping for a director." A montage video for "Before I Die" is featured on the band's debut DVD "" though.

Reception

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." [ [http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=2327304] ]

Chart positions

Covers

Local Dallas rapper, Baby Hulk samples "Solitaire/Unraveling" on his first album, "Super Thowed Hero".

External links

* [http://www.mushroomhead.com/lyricsxx.html View the lyrics] to this album at Mushroomhead.com