Search - Sponge :: Wax Ecstatic

Killer concept album, Sponge's best...

Whitey D | Wilmington, DE | 06/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The fine art of a concept album was all but forgotten in the nineties, until Sponge unveiled this masterpiece on the public who (criminally) didn't seem to care. That is very unfortunate because "Wax Ecstatic" is easily some of the best music to come out of the drab mid nineties. The lyrical concept is certainly a strange one: the death of a drag queen. Not all the songs seem to fit the formula, but the vast majority do. The lyrics can be explicit at times, but never do the churn the stomach. By the time Velveteen comes around you'll find yourself feeling sorry for the transvestite protagonist, trust me. The music on this CD is diverse and a great leap forward from the nondescript grunge rock of "Rotting Pinata"."My Purity" rocks with the sheer attitude and abandon of a Guns N' Roses song, with much better vocals of course. The title track is another standout with a catchy guitar hook dominating the song. "I Am Anastasia" is a highlight, as is the Bowie-influenced "Silence is Their Drug". "Have You Seen Mary" should have made the boys in Sponge veritable stars, but thanks to the poor marketing Columbia gave this album, it's just another highlight in an album full of them. The final 1-2 punch of "The Death of a Drag Queen" and "Velveteen" are emotional highs, the former being a gruesome tale of a late night murder and the latter being a heartfelt memoir, as well as the obvious choice for the album's best song. After Velveteen, there's an amazing hidden track that rocks on par with the rest of the CD. Why it is unlisted I don't know. Don't let the crazy concept prevent you from purchasing this CD, you'll be missing out on some truly classic music. "Wax Ecstatic" stands as Sponge's crowning achievement and is a testament to the perils of the record industry. The music is certainly catchy enough for radio and high quality enough to please any rock fan and keep them coming back for more. Pick up this forgotten gem and tell all your friends to do the same. You won't regret the money spent."

Defineitely worth your while

Daniel J. Hagerman | barnegat, NJ United States | 03/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"there are four excellent songs here. the first three (my purity, got to be a bore & wax exstatic) are amazing songs. anastasia is also a great song. thick guitars, great rhythm section and amazing grooves, especially in got to be a bore. great production as well for this album. on wax exstatic (the song) i love it when the guitar solo kicks in. it is the perfect balance between hearing the lead and yet still hearing the other instrments. i can hear the drums, bass and guitar holding a great groove as the lead blows me away. GREAT stuff!!
as for the slower stuff, it is good. i think the louder stuff is more vibrant and holds stronger songwriting but still, death of a drag queen is a terrific moody song as is drag queens of memphis. there are some great songs here and this is one band that made one great album in wac exstatic. i have to check out some of their other stuff."

More underrated, yes... But better than Pinkerton? Maybe

montythemongoose | 10/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another misappreciated or unappreciated gem from '96. Detroit's entrant in the post-Cobain-suicide grunge feeding frenzy took off from their rote, angst-by-numbers debut Rotting Pinata & made what some have gone on to pronounce the first salvo in the glam revival. Specifically, I'd assume, given the wistful but inspired take on transvestism that the band presents in Drag Queens of Memphis, Death of a Drag Queen, & perchance even Velveteen (pick the better album closer: this or Butterfly...). Additionally, though, there is also a power in the chugging guitar of the opening My Purity & Silence Is Their Drug. Here, the guitarists --- it's been a long time since I read the liner notes, so I forget the names --- treat their instruments as that extension of their anatomy, we all know which one, a la NY Dolls, KISS, Aerosmith, or any of the 70s greats, glam & non-glam & pseudoglam. & then there are the effecting tracks, I Am Anastasia & Have You Seen Mary? Having beaten our heads against the wall, us having happily let them (trust me, if it wasn't good, we wouldn't let them at all), they grab our tear ducts & sap them totally. Ah, yes, then, another 70s staple: the lighters-held-aloft moment. & I love that, unabashedly & unironically. For me, I'm starting to think, '75, or maybe '74 --- I wasn't around then --- was the golden age of rock in that decade. [Of course, the Sex Pistols are still hella good. - ed.] & Sponge, on Wax Ecstatic, ran with that sentiment 'til they could run no more... As would be apparent from their limp output since & even at the time minimal output (WE is 10 tracks). But who's to quibble when 10 hit like 20, or maybe 30, from Rancid (another good band, but a different sort of band... Even if Buddyhead isn't fibbing when they say that Lars Frederiksen has a Grateful Dead logo tattoo). My vote then for most misappreciated '96 album: Pinkerton. But most unappreciated: Wax Ecstatic. Now, then, I'm finished... You, appreciate this record. Buy it & love it."