Ween Albums Ranked From Worst to Best

[@DemonSweat714]

The Pod is a masterpiece. But so happy to hear you guys listened.

[@curly_wyn]

How so?

[@josephbyron7004]

I’ve been looking forward to yall ranking Ween for forever! this was a fun watch

[@myfriendjoe]

5 Stars- Every Album.

[@3bwana]

Yeah right, not quite

[@paulayers1111]

True

[@echosmyron1278]

One of my 20 favorite bands of the 1990s. During their prime, they could take on practically any genre, make it sound effortlessly catchy, yet still retain their unique essence as a band. 1. The Mollusk (5 stars; my #1 album of 1997) 2. Quebec (5 stars; #3 in 2003) 3. Chocolate and Cheese (5 stars; #6 in 1994) 4. White Pepper (4.5; #7 in 2000) 5. 12 Golden Country Greats (4.5; #20 in 1996) 6. GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (4; #31 in 1990) 7. Pure Guava (4; #41 in 1992) 8. The Pod (3.5) 9. La Cucaracha (3; they probably did the right thing in bowing out with this one, because aside from “Your Party,” the Weenness has left their sound)

[@jackde1965]

Ween - my favorite band. I knew the first three albums would be a disaster for y'all. That's as far as I've gotten. I love you guys. I've looked forward to this day for a long time. So far the video is exactly as I suspected. Lol I'm the biggest fan in the world and I had a tough time with the early records AT FIRST. I love the hell out of them now, but it took me some time to get there. I'm sure I'll make another comment after I finish the video. When I first saw you were doing Ween the first word that came to me was DUCK!!!! And I've seen Ween live over 60 times. Yes, they are awesome live.

[@Leo-qe3gl]

60 times??? Wow 😲

[@mattmiller4917]

Yeah, they're a live band.

[@jordanpratt3821]

Yeah I've said "every band out there is someone's favorite band" as crazy as that is. The offspring, ween, maybe bush just name a few that are kind of crazy to me

[@mouphbreaver1225]

This was great. Having to start with The Pod is brutal. Hell yeah for going through all of them.

[@jackde1965]

Once again... Huge Ween fan, favorite band ever... Long time TLM/Listography Patron/Watcher You guys did a great job. I've been holding my breath knowing there would be some bashing, but it's understandable and expected. Those first 3 albums are not to be just happened upon and loved imo. I originally had a hard time with them. Hearing those songs played live transforms them. Going back to those albums after hearing the live versions gives a new appreciation to those songs which were written and recorded by young teenagers. If you think they're juvenile.... Well, yes they are, but to me they are brilliant. I didn't expect you're chomping at the bit to give them another chance. I thought you treated the rest of the catalog fairly. I enjoyed the hell out of watching your opinions. For now Jason is far cooler than Joe in my book (I mean who could possibly love Ween and Abba?) that's a little joke Joe. You're both great and I always love the lists and opinions. I wish Ween squeaked in before Kramzer bailed, not because I think he would like them, only because I wanted to hear 3 opinions. I've never understood why Ween fans look down on La Cucaracha so much. I love that album. But for me the top album is The Mollusk, probably because that's when I found them. I'm glad you guys did Ween finally and even after a bit of a beaten I think I'll stay a Patron. Lol (I think overall it went better than I expected).

[@echosmyron1278]

La Cucaracha is a much tougher listen than the early albums, IMO. Just listen to the hokey, pedestrian “Learning to Love,” then go listen to anything on 12 Golden Country Greats. Ouch.

[@jackde1965]

@@echosmyron1278 not every song on any album is great. Learnin'To Love... Not the best Ween song ever. Lol It's all good though. I respect everyone's opinion. I just think La Cucaracha holds up better than most Ween fans I guess.

[@D.Boon1]

I love La cucaracha 🪳

[@paulayers1111]

The Pod and Pure Guava are PERFECT!!! So brown🤎Where are all the true Ween fans in the comments?!

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

1. The Mollusk - 4.5 2. Chocolate and Cheese - 4 3. 12 Golden Country Greats - 4 4. White Pepper - 4 5. Quebec - 4 6. GodWeenSatan: The Oneness - 3.5 7. Pure Guava - 3.5 8. The Pod - 3 9. La Cucaracha - 3

[@musicminute2004]

1. The Mollusk 10/10 2. Quebec 9.5/10 3. Chocolate & Cheese 9/10 4. White Pepper 9/10 5. Shinola 8/10 6. 12GCG 8/10 7. God Ween Satan 7.5/10 8. The Pod 7.5/10 9. Pure Guava 7/10 10. La Cucaracha 6/10

[@179rich]

09) Pure Guava (1992) 1.5/5 08) The Pod (1991) 3.5/5 07) Chocolate and Cheese (1994) 3.5/5 06) La Cucaracha (2007) 4/5 05) White Pepper (2000) 4/5 04) 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) 4.25/5 03) GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990) 4.5/5 02) The Mollusk (1997) 4.5/5 01) Quebec (2003) 5/5 Ratings Scale: 0 stars - irredeemably terrible/insultingly bad/the worst .5 stars - terrible 1 star - bad 1.5 stars - pretty bad 2 stars - weak/mediocre 2.5 stars - meh 2.75 stars - "It's OK, but quit playing it." 3 stars - OK/decent 3.25 stars - pretty good 3.5 stars - good 3.75 stars - really good 4 stars - very good 4.25 stars - very, very good 4.5 stars - excellent 5 stars - lick the mind of God Chronological Order: 1990 - 4.50 - GodWeenSatan: The Oneness 1991 - 3.50 - The Pod 1992 - 1.50 - Pure Guava 1994 - 3.50 - Chocolate and Cheese 1996 - 4.25 - 12 Golden Country Greats 1997 - 4.50 - The Mollusk 2000 - 4.00 - White Pepper 2003 - 5.00 - Quebec 2007 - 4.00 - La Cucaracha Notes: * I have long been aware of Ween but heard little of their music until this deep dive. Now, I have heard most of these album tracks several times, several non-album tracks and I've seen some great live footage. * I love how experimental this band is. I love how they are willing to throw the craziest shit at the wall to see what sticks. For that reason, I give their albums plenty of leeway, even when the experiments don't land for me. * I think Gene and Dean are super talented and I dig their wild sense of humor. * Ween traffic in trippy and bizarre sounds which I love, and I love their eclecticism. * Even though it's new to me, I am prepared to declare GodWeenSatan a slacker rock classic. It's a great drinking album. * On The Pod, they really beat the "pork roll egg and cheese on a kaiser bun" subject into the ground, don't they? Apparently it's the theme of the album. The Pod gets points for being really weird and there are some great songs. Some of it's a bit too slack for my tastes though, and I hate the track where the dude is ordering food. Very tedious. * I found Pure Guava to be monotonous, repetitive and irritating, especially the helium voices, although I found "Mourning Glory" to be a good approximation of what it's like to be on LSD, so that's a very cool track. And "Springtheme" is excellent despite the helium voice. * Occasionally Gene Ween's vocals remind me of Elliot Smith, and Tom Williams has noted the same, so I'm in good company. I love how he and Dean adapt all kinds of different voices/personas. * 12 Golden Country Greats has some great playing on it, although there are actually only 10 songs. Just their screwy sense of humor I guess. * I was really blown away by Quebec. Most of these songs I consider excellent. Unfortunately, "The Fucked Up Jam" is super irritating, but the album gets 5 stars despite that annoyance. They get credit for experimentation. * If we were counting the Shinola, Vol. 1 compilation, that would actually be my number 1 Ween album. The songs aren't as strong as the best songs on Quebec or The Mollusk, but those albums have songs that turn me off, and there are no such songs on Shinola. * Really glad I got to know this band! My buddy John got turned on too, and we plan to watch more live Ween on KZbin on his giant TV. * Cheers mates!!!!!!!!!!

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

Yeah, I forgot to say something about how they're really good live! Watching their concert footage made me become more accepting of their early stuff! Heh-heh.

[@jackde1965]

RIP David Sanborn... We had the best time at Your Party.

[@ykmgeedee]

New girlfriend bought Pure Guava when it dropped and we'd share laughs listening to it and first 2 but I didn't hear band much at all afterwards until few years ago. I dig their ability to draw on so many influences and well... their insanity. If I Got them I'd very likely Love them. White Pepper my fave.

[@claytonkelley4921]

1. 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) 5 stars (10) 2. The Mollusk (1997) 5 stars (9.7) 3. Quebec (2003) 4.5 stars (9.1) 4. Chocolate and Cheese (1994) 4 stars (8.3) 5. White Pepper (2000) 4 stars (8) 6. La Cucaracha (2007) 3 stars (6) 7. Pure Guava (1992) 2.5 stars (5) 8. The Pod (1991) 2 stars (4.8) 9. God Ween Satan (1990) 2 stars (4.5)

[@owenscarth-jones3628]

Tender situation is genius

[@daveycretin664]

Yes! The Man of the People comes through once again!! White Pepper is also my favorite Ween album as well. If memory serves, it was my number one record for the year 2000, when we posted that kind of stuff at my old record store job. I even wrote a review of the CD for a local Long Island newspaper at the time. Ahh, the halcyon days of yore… Look forward to side two and three, gents. Cheers from The Big Apple. Rock Out, Prog On and Pogo! Your doppelgänger and mine, ~ The Divine Davey Cretin from CRETIN CLASSICS.

[@unclesavvy-vj9pz]

Thanks for doing this band you guys!!!!

[@andrewdyke5561]

Whatttttt ive waited for this one so so soo long

[@waterfallings]

these dudes are off their rockers

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Enjoyed the rankings! I heard Quebec in a CD exchange and loved it, and bought the album right away. I then bought "The Pod", which sucks... although I've only played it once. I guess next for me will be White Pepper. Looking forward to your top 10 songs.

[@gummyb426]

White Pepper and the Mollusk would probably be best to listen to next if you like Quebec

[@paulayers1111]

The Pod is an album that definitely requires multiple listens like Trout Mask Replica. It’s very melodic and catchy in actuality but just within its own fuzzy weird universe

[@mrlalalaelmo7454]

High quality entertainment! I really like white pepper and quebec. Ive listened to some parts of the mollusk and it’s ok. The first album is absolutely not my cup of tea. Yet to venture further

[@canadianstudmuffin]

@@paulayers1111 I played half of it yesterday for the second time and yes it was a bit better than the first listen, ha ha.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

@@gummyb426 I did like The Pod a bit more on the second listen yesterday. Thanks.

[@TheRealBlueSwan]

I'll always love Pure Guava just because that was the album that got me into Ween back in 1993, when my roommate in college played the album again and again. But I do think that The Mollusk is their best album.

[@Vanessa.P]

The big day is finally here for the Ween fans in the community! I'd heard the majority of their albums before this dive aside from the first few and La Cucaracha and liked them all a lot. I revisited everything and switched things around several times in that time but this is where I decided to land. It's a very interesting and at times, challenging discography but the core albums are definitely worth it. 9) The Pod - 2.5 8) Pure Guava - 2.5 7) La Cucaracha - 3 6) GodWeenSatan - 3 5) White Pepper - 3.5 4) Chocolate and Cheese - 4 3) The Mollusk - 4 2) Quebec - 4 1) 12 Golden Country Greats - 4.5

[@179rich]

I was surprised at how low Jason was on Chocolate and Cheese.

[@Leo-qe3gl]

It is not such a big day because Joe and Jason hate most of Weens music.🥲

[@Vanessa.P]

@@Leo-qe3gl Jason was overall quite positive, at least!

[@179rich]

@@Vanessa.P Yeah, I wouldn't say that. Not about Jason anyway.

[@Leo-qe3gl]

@@Vanessa.P yes. But both did not really understand/ get the essence of Ween. But that is okay. Not everyone has to love everything.🙂

[@canadianstudmuffin]

I left an earlier comment but I changed my mind... The first album I heard was Quebec and I loved it right away. I next bought The Pod and HATED it. After ignoring the CD for a few weeks I played it again and liked it, and by the third listen I loved it, perhaps even more than Quebec. Next I bought Pure Guava. I hated it... but once again just like The Pod, even on the second listen I really liked it. I now love all three Ween albums I have and hope to buy more, if I can find them at a decent price, that is...

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I’m afraid I will not be having the same experience. - Joe

[@bigmac076]

Dude I couldn't disagree more with your take on The Blarney Stone. Its such a great sing along and fun song, I think you guys don't really get Ween so much. And that's fine.

[@nickmoss2046]

If you ain't brown, you ain't down! Even Beavis & Butthead liked them and they hated everything lol. Tremendous live band and y'all would feel much differently on Piss Up a Rope if you had experienced it. Jason mentioned David Sanborn and unfortunately he just passed today RIP. 1. Chocolate & Cheese (quintessential Ween record imo) 5 stars 2. Quebec 4.5 3. The Pod 4.5 4. The Mollusk 4.5 5. Shinola 4 6. White Pepper 4 7. GodWeenSatan 4 8. Pure Guava 3.5 9. La Cucaracha 3.5 10. 12 Country Greats 3.5

[@alt94rock44]

You guys should do a Pavement remastered with Joe next!

[@thepowerfulhero]

I’ve been waiting for this day

[@epicsoundtracktothemundane]

Album Ranking 1. The Mollusk (1997) 4.5 2. Quebec (2003) 4.5 3. Chocolate and Cheese (1994) 4.0 4. Pure Guava (1992) 4.0 5. God Ween Satan: The Oneness (1990) 4.0 6. The Pod (1991) 4.0 7. 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) 3.5 8. La Cucaracha (2007) 3.5 9. White Pepper (2000) 3.5

[@Jackson.1911]

The perfect band. Every sound for every occasion.

[@JordanThePickett]

Tried to get into these guys countless times. Never could, and I never saw what others saw in them.

[@bengalgangster]

well here it goes, not a fav listo to me at all but... 9 the pod 1.5 stars 8 pure guava 2.5 7 la cuchracha 2.5+ 6 god ween satin 2.5+ 5 choclate and cheese3.0 4 12 golden country greats 3.0+ 3the mollusk 3.0+ 2 quebec 3.0+ 1 white pepper3.5 + cheers

[@weirddebbiem1619]

Great list, bengal. We kinda have similar rankings. 🎶💜💜

[@MrRattlebones640]

1. Quebec - 5 Stars 2. The Mollusk - 5 Stars 3. Chocolate and Cheese - 4.5 stars 4. The Pod - 4 stars 5. Shinola (B-Sides album) - 4 stars 5. 12 Golden Country Greats - 4 stars 6. Pure Guava - 3.5 stars 7. White Pepper - 3.5 stars 8. La Cucaracha - 3 stars 9. GodWeenSatan - 2 stars

[@toddhill7483]

12 Golden Country Greats initially had a version of Powder Blue with an authentic Muhammad Ali post fight recording inserted at the conclusion of the song. I was lucky to snatch up that version before they were forced to snip out the Ali portion. Absolutely hilarious, and can be heard on KZbin.

[@D.Boon1]

Quebec #1

[@MidosujiSen]

Oh, this is the band that did Ocean Man, that plays in the credits of the SpongeBob movie. Love that song, never heard anything else they did.

[@curly_wyn]

Love that song and for that reason too! Hate everything else tho

[@musicminute2004]

The perfect discography doesn't exi-

[@curly_wyn]

No.

[@musicminute2004]

@@curly_wyn I don't think so :)

[@toddhill7483]

Ween. Now we are talking. My personal top 5: 1 The Mollusk 2 Quebec 3 The Pod 4 12 Golden Country Greats 5 Chocolate and Cheese

[@emuwuno]

You guys should've done Shinola (Vol. 1) as well, but cool video :-)

[@japanesehercules]

I have a very special place in my heart for Pure Guava, especially "Mourning Glory" lol

[@edgustafson]

White Pepper - 4 Chocolate & Cheese - 3.5 Quebec - 3.5 The Mollusk - 3.5 12 Golden Country Greats - 3 La Cucaracha - 3 Pure Guava - 2.5 The Pod - 2 God Ween Satan - 1

[@179rich]

I would think GWS would be higher for you, with your love of the Stooges and all.

[@edgustafson]

@@179rich The Stooges write good songs. There's nothing on GWS that even approaches the worst Stooges song.

[@richardsonfamily7594]

Yes!! I just listened to every ween album. I am a massive Weener

[@richardsonfamily7594]

P.S. here’s my ranking 1. Pure Guava 2. Quebec 3. Chocolate and Cheese 4. The Pod 5. The Mollusk 6. GodWeenSatan 7. 12 Golden Country Greats 8. White Pepper 9. La Cucaracha I like weird ween as you can tell.

[@DeanJonasson]

Great job, guys! I'm a fan of Ween ever since someone dumped off all of their CDs at my local Salvation Army thrift shop. Gene and Dean create sonic worlds that are dark, dangerous but also exhilarating and funny. Joe not appreciating Ween's 'browness' made me laugh throughout the ranking. Jason is correct in that the best of Ween happens when they find the balance of gross satire with honest emotion. Both rankings, different as they are from each other, makes some sense. Not sure I could objectively rank such a weird catalogue.

[@giovannigualtieri8833]

The pod hate will NOT be tolerated

[@ExcellentChalsTransit]

1. Quebec 2. Chocolate & Cheese 3. The Mollusk 4. Pure Guava 5. GodWeenSatan 6. White Pepper 7. The Pod 8. La Cucaracha 9. 12 Golden Country Greats

[@paulsontag9233]

The Mollusk! I’m stoked about this! But will Jason and Joe survive?

[@BL-mf3jp]

1. The mollusk (A) 2. Quebec (A) 3. GodWeenSatan (B) 4. White Pepper (B-) 5. Chocolate and cheese 6. La Cucaracha 7. 12 GCG 8. The Pod 9. Pure Guava

[@gelsol]

quebec is my jam. Great double-album, and the production and timbres are excellent.

[@chillepalmerz]

Posting this before watching: I think I'd rank them like this The Mollusk (an all time top 20 album and my favorite album of the 90s) White Pepper 12 Golden Country Greats Quebec Pure Guava The Pod Chocolate and Cheese La Cucharacha God Ween Satan

[@frodofraggins]

1) The Mollusk (1997) - 3.5 stars (some interesting stuff here) 2) Quebec (2003) - 3.5 stars 3) Chocolate and Cheese (1994) - 3.5 stars (Sooo much better than the previous albums) 4) White Pepper (2000) - 3 stars 5) La Cucaracha (2007) - 2.5 stars (pretty forgettable) 6) 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) - 2 stars (They could have made their point with one song in this style. too generic) 7) Pure Guava (1992) - 1 star 8) The Pod (1991) - 0 stars 9) GodWeenSatan (1990) - 0 stars (complete trash)

[@gummyb426]

This is one I've wanted that I thought for sure would never happen. I'm excited to watch this and probably see some albums I really like get low scores. 9 La Cucaracha 3☆ I like the start and end of this album, and I love Your Party, but it's not them in their prime. The middle of the album has most of their worst songs. 8 12 Golden Country Greats 3.5/3☆ Solid Country album with a couple great songs (HmSTMOMB and I Don't Wanna Leave You on the farm) 7 GodWeenSatan 3.5☆ This album can be a lot of fun but it's too stupid to be one of my favorites. Somehow seems pretty normal next to The Pod and Pure Guava .Birthday Boy is top 3 Ween, and MTJT is great 6 Chocolate and Cheese 3.5☆ Maybe it's strange to say considering the 3 albums before this but despite having mostly good songs this one feels a little weaker as a whole album to their others. It doesn't fit together as well to me. I think they figured out how to be a more interesting normal band a little later. What Deaner Was Talkin' About is a top 3 Ween song 5 Pure Guava 3.5/4☆ Most of the first 11 songs are classics that stick in my head a lot. After that it's more mixed but I saw Gener Cryin' in His Sleep's switch from friendly quiet verse to almost scary chorus is great, Don't Get too Close My Fantasy is just a really good glam rock psychedelic song, and Mourning Glory is the funniest song they've done. Best drum machine album of all time too probably 4 White Pepper 4/3.5☆ Good, sometimes really good pop rock album in a bunch of different styles. Probably has more quality control than all the earlier albums, I like the silly stuff but it works for this album. The start is especially good 3 The Mollusk 4☆ Giving themselves a theme to work with was a good idea. I think it's an album of a few great songs (The Mollusk, Mutilated Lips, Ocean Man, She Wanted to Leave), a couple good ones, and then the weird ones, the theme helps them all fit together, maybe even when they kind of don't. This is the one where they really got the right sound. 2 The Pod 4.5/4☆ I definitely didn't like this album at first, but once you get into the sound it all starts to fit together. Even though it's still mostly completely silly, on this one a lot more real emotion starts to get through. Going from a (probably) serious breakup song with great atmosphere and a cool guitar solo at the end right into Molly is why Ween is one of the best bands. It brings you into it's Mono world for a bit. 1 Quebec 4.5/5☆ Taking the quality control of White Pepper and the creativity of other albums, and with that having the great sound they've got and bringing in more serious emotion than their other albums brings this one to the top for me. I have a couple problems with it, mostly some of the humour seeming a little forced, and tracks and tracks 12 and 13 do cut into the otherwise fantastic final run of songs (they're still both pretty good though), but it's still one of my favorite albums and gets to the top of my ranking easily.

[@gummyb426]

Like Joe the first song I liked from The Pod was Captain Fantasy; this means soon he'll be singing the praises of Strap on That Jammy Pack

[@gummyb426]

I actually agree with Jason a lot

[@fatheroblivion4032]

FINALLY, THANK YOU

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Sorry

[@fatheroblivion4032]

@@TastesLikeMusic I am a forgiving man, but the pod is easily one of the best ween records if not the best. Laura, mononucleosis, demon sweat, boing, and she fucks me all scratch a depraved itch somewhere inside me, don’t be afraid to scratch at yours.

[@mattmiller4917]

Love the Zappa + Boog icon!

[@fatheroblivion4032]

@@mattmiller4917 thank you, I have this tattooed on my ass.

[@mattmiller4917]

@@fatheroblivion4032 that's pretty brown

[@haydenelliott6799]

Ween is a band you have to listen to a few times before it clicks

[@Leo-qe3gl]

I knew you would hate Ween.😂 I love Ween.🤷‍♂️ Greetings from Leipzig/ germany.

[@maxcastleman]

The Mollusk 4.5 Chocolate and Cheese 4 White Pepper 4 Quebec 4 12 Golden Country Greats 3.5 GodWeenSatan 3.5 La Cucaracha 3.5 The Pod 3 Pure Guava 2.5

[@weirddebbiem1619]

Thank goodness not all of Ween's albums made my teeth itch. lol Here it goes: 9) The Pod 0.5 8) Pure Guava 0.5 7) GodWeenSatin: The Oneness 1.5 6) La Cucaracha 2.0 5) Chocolate and Cheese 2.0 4) The Mollusk 3.0 3) 12 Golden Country Greats 3.5 2) Quebec 4.0 1) White Pepper 4.0+

[@bengalgangster]

good to see white pepper on top, this was a teeth itching listo💜💜

[@TastesLikeMusic]

We’re pretty close. - Joe

[@weirddebbiem1619]

@@bengalgangster Hey, bengal. Great to see that White Pepper was on top for you as well. 🎶💜💜

[@weirddebbiem1619]

@@TastesLikeMusic We sure were. 😎

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

1. The Mollusk (1997) 4.5 2. Quebec (2003) 4 3. Chocolate & Cheese (1994) 4 4. White Pepper (2000) 4 5. 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) 2.5 6. GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990) 2.5 7. Pure Guava (1992) 1.5 8. La Cucaracha (2007) 1.5 9. The Pod (1991) 1 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: 2.5 GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990) 1.0 The Pod (1991) 1.5 Pure Guava (1992) 4.0 Chocolate & Cheese (1994) 2.5 12 Golden Country Greats (1996) 4.5 The Mollusk (1997) 4.0 White Pepper (2000) 4.0 Quebec (2003) 1.5 La Cucaracha (2007) I'd heard *of* this Pennsylvania duo, but hadn't actually heard Ween's music 'til I participated in this channel's "Album of the Year" series a few years ago. I've come to admire Ween's post-modern stew, into which they throw a bit of everything. But with this band, it's not so much a polite borrowing of influences as a no-holds-barred mugging of popular music. To my ears, the early part of their discography is a bit of a slog. I've heard people defend their first 3 LPs by saying that Ween was *trying* to make bad albums. If so, they succeeded- not that GodWeenSatan (1990), The Pod (1991), and Pure Guava (1992) don't have their moments. But things definitely improve once they start working out of a real recording studio (which happens on 1994's Chocolate & Cheese). Cuts like "Freedom of '76" and "Roses are Free" are where they come of age musically. The 3 albums that bracket the turn of the century form the core of Ween's popular appeal. This includes their most consistent album (the aquatic-themed The Mollusk), their most accessible LP (the Beatles-inspired White Pepper), and their their most emotional LP (Quebec). I didn't list Shinola Vol. 1 (2005) as it's not a proper studio album, but it's one of the better outtakes/rarities comps I've heard, showcasing Ween's ability to mimic other artists ("Gabrielle" sounds like Thin Lizzy; "The Rift" sounds like Roxy Music; "Monique the Freak" sounds like Prince). Unfortunately, on their final studio release, 2007's La Cucaracha, it feels like the band just doesn't care anymore. While even their best albums have spots where the lyrics get too silly for me, there's clearly a lot of commitment and sincerity beneath Ween's jokester exterior. I do appreciate the craziness, but some of my favorite moments are when they tone down the insanity and write more traditionally, like "Baby Bitch" (from Chocolate & Cheese), "She Wanted to Leave" (from Mollusk), or "I Don't Want It" (from Quebec). They're not a top 100 artist for me, but I have a newfound respect for what these guys do. MY RATING SYSTEM: 5.0 = major classic (consistently great *and* stratospheric highs) 4.5 = minor classic (consistently great *or* stratospheric highs, but not both) 4.0 = great (a clear majority is worth revisiting and it's one of the best things for this artist/style) 3.5 = seriously good (at least half is worth revisiting) 3.0 = nominally good (less than half is worth revisiting) 2.5 = fair (competent but uninspired, not worth revisiting) 2.0 = poor (difficult listen) 1.5 = awful (can't finish it) 1.0 = historically awful (musical apocalypse) ▪︎ "Consistently" does not mean "flawlessly." I allow for a few duds if the rest of the songs are good enough. "Stratospheric highs" refer to albums that feature iconic songs or have an iconic sound. (Albums I consider to be "perfect" can also reach 5 stars, even without containing legendary songs or being highly influential.) ▪︎ I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible, I don't care to differentiate anymore. ▪︎ Anything I rate 3.5 stars or better is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.

[@D.Boon1]

The Rift does sound like Roxy haha. Good stuff

[@mattmiller4917]

I'm pretty much with Jason, but I like the first three albums a lot more. Ween is a live band, though. I've seen them live dozens of times, including the infamous swimming pool show in Williamsburg, but I don't listen to their albums that much. But is there a more versatile band than Ween? Not to me anyway. They can do almost anything.

[@ranlit7717]

Quebec has been a 10/10 album for me for so long…

[@kevtruth]

White Pepper for me. Even If You Don't vocally sounds like Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze

[@musicminute2004]

Missing Shinola, love that album

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Doesn’t count

[@bengalgangster]

well joe and i agree on white pepper being the top album , it was like a normal album to me lol

[@markjohnson4356]

That's the problem.

[@weirddebbiem1619]

Hey, bengal. I also agree on White Pepper. 🎶💜💜

[@BigMcLargeHuge122]

Let's get a ranking of Cardiacs' discography, I need more of Joe suffering

[@gregdale1066]

Dont seek the blood from the panther, he’ll make the trip to you soon .. The Stallion pt . 3

[@famousashtray]

Stare into the lions eyes And if you taste the cand-eh You’ll get to the surprise

[@gregdale1066]

@@famousashtray this good duo does not understand that sleep deprivation puts you right in the middle of these early Boshesque album’s :)

[@auteur55]

Love Ween. The mollusk is such a unique and fun record and the rest is zappaesque. Just enjoy the hell out of them even when they are purposely annoying me

[@abandonedaccounnt]

jason putting la cuc up there is a total curveball! for me personally a lot of the songs feel less fresh and more gimmicky. i think this would probably be received better if it came out earlier in their discography as after they've been built up with quebec people expect something really great

[@Almarigold]

I used to be put off by them, now I dig them..

[@lobbyboi0]

Need an album rank of The Cure!!

[@AndThatsaChinson]

When I decided to listen to Ween's catalogue I was so used to the bizzare songs that once they had a polish sound I found it to be too much of a difference in sound. Going far to call the Pod the greatest. I was wrong. That's not to say The Pod is horrible. There's something beautifully bizzare about it (and Pure Guava). Still I re-listened and it went down the rankings quite a bit I rank it them Godweensatan White Pepper Pure Guava The Pod Chocolate and Cheese La Cucaracha The Mollusk 12 Golden Country Greats And like many Ween fans before I too rank Quebec number 1.

[@captainkirk70]

Still gotta do QOTSA. Most vital rock band in the last 20 years. But if any of you guys rate the self titled as the worst Im coming through the screen to get you kids.

[@kevhove]

Still working my way through your albums and tracks .. got to to 1975. Just realised there are some bands that the UK just dont know ! Im did think you mentioned a Prince listography . I know it would take an aGE and no doubt Kramser has fled to the hills. Like the guest people you are bringing in

[@jameschapman9583]

Wow! Just started listening and Joe found something he likes less than Sonic Youth? I didn't know that was possible.

[@spah_tf2]

the pod at #9 is honestly where i put it too. except instead of getting half a star it gets 3.5 stars. there are a few songs that i cant listen to, demon sweat, and alone spefically. then there are the songs that are not good but dont completely suck, like right to the ways, good song mostly. the vocals though, i mean i love them but i hate them just as much if not more. but for every demon sweat theres a oh my dear and a the stallion pt. 1. great album but not the best by far. and pure guava at #9 is painful to me. pure guava is at #6 to me. great album all round, i mean the music is wierd and wild but its own sound and it sounds great. i mean the 2 songs i have to skip is mourning glory and shocking sarah (i dont like sarah, its just not that good) but then there the greats like dont get 2 close 2 my fantasy and the stallion pt. 3. its great all around

[@alyssarohr765]

Yo I appreciate the video and stuff and I'm not trying be mean but you guys need to take a little deeper dive as a musician that's played all of weens songs on several instruments the songs you guys said hit are all good but there are so much more meat in the albums then you think and I disagree with almost all your takes. It's also pretty sure you don't know the English language super well and allt the metaphors, simales, idioms etc My top five: The mollusk: five stars. Every single song is an absolute banger but cold blows the wind, she wanted to leave, and the mollusk really standing out. Quebec: four and a half stars. The stand outs being the argus, if you could save yourself and tried and true with the fucked jam being my least favorite but still being a masterpiece. The hate on Zoloft is a little week. I've been on Zoloft for 14 years and if you know you know. White pepper: 4.5 stars with the standouts being back to basom, stay forever and Ice castles. Same score as Quebec. Shinola Vol 1: 4.25 stars with the stand outs being did you see me, the rift and how high can you fly. Lastly chocolate and cheese being 4.15 stars and the stand out being spinal meningitis, roses are free and voodoo lady

[@TastesLikeMusic]

If I missed all the similes, metaphors and such… I guess that’s on me. They’re so annoying that I lost concentration? - Joe

[@MemphianSounds]

Knew their respective No. 1s would be their picks. Wasn't sure who would have which though.

[@joe3701]

I would be super afraid to hear Joe’s thoughts on Frank Zappa as a huge fan of his lol

[@barbaraleijten3107]

The pod is the best for me

[@calebmcdermott6420]

Mister Richard Smoker is literally my favorite from country greats 😂 insane that joe talked so low of it

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It sucks, even without the lyrics. - Joe

[@BL-mf3jp]

You should rank Marilyn Manson, Eminem, and Xiu Xiu.

[@julicoole]

Z-Rock Hawaii is top 5

[@Andrew-bn7rr]

"Friends screwing around with a 4-track" is the authenticity missing from a lot of music these days, where its way too easy to polish a sound.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I don’t disagree but at a certain point you also have to learn how to write and arrange and get good at your instrument etc…

[@Andrew-bn7rr]

@@TastesLikeMusic True. I also support White Pepper as #1 from a non-ween fan. It's definitely underrated. A "go-nowhere album" -pitchfork.

[@jameschapman9583]

One thing you can say for Ween and this goes for Flaming Lips.... they have improved as players producers and song writers... Ween is a weird one they belong more in the Comedy genre than actual music band. Would say they belong aside the comedy albums of Adam Sandler rather than say a rock band.

[@mattmiller4917]

Agreed about them being a fundamentally comic band, but I think it's more like Frank Zappa's approach.

[@THEEArmoredSaint]

What?!? WEEN!!! LOVE Ween!!!!!

[@xvx5872]

Well who said you could rank them that way? I didn't say you could!

[@boredofcanada]

I knew you guys were going to dump on Pure Guava. You didn't enjoy Reggaejunkiejew or Little Birdy? Big Jilm??

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Nope

[@boredofcanada]

@@TastesLikeMusic Fair

[@boredofcanada]

@@TastesLikeMusic Did you make it to Don't Get Too Close To My Fantasy? It's a fun psych rock send up. I really enjoy this album.

[@drewski430]

I love the blarney stone

[@alexmunro182]

Oooh Ween :-)

[@edenton2002]

kudos for listening, but holy mother of missed the mark-- are we hearing the same band?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

You need a very certain type of humor to like this band. - Joe

[@PartTimeBuddhist]

I don't think this bodes well for when they eventually get around to the Residents discography.

[@mouphbreaver1225]

I love when people hate Ween. Every band can’t be Coldplay😂

[@alivezbrnda-studios6280]

pure guava is my fav album, so sad they rated it so low. altough its defenetely an album you need to get into weens brown-ness to like. BUT GODWEENSATAN SO LOW IS CRIMINAL

[@thomaseliason4878]

Joe it shouldn’t really be all that insane to you that Jason rated some ween albums 4 stars. He likes more indie experimental music than you do. So that is possible. Just Ween music is so bad to you that really you just don’t understand how anyone could like anything by them that much.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Jason always seems to like the most vanilla music, so I’m surprised when he likes goofy stuff like ween. -- Joe

[@anthonybernard3689]

Who's after Prince?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Listo jr week for Gram Parsons, Nick Drake, and Judee Sill

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Prince probably won’t be until July

[@179rich]

Averaged list is based.

[@jameschapman9583]

So according to Jason Angel Dust is a 2.5 star record but Chocolate and Cheese is 3.5 stars. Got it.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Did I stutter?

[@jameschapman9583]

This should be interesting....

[@adamp2029]

Definitely not a fan here. And I’ve spent a lot of nights in New Hope 😁

[@christianewen3227]

🍫 🧀 ❤️🎶#️⃣1️⃣

[@jyjjy7]

"...the HIV song, which didn't age well..." Um, why would you think that song was more acceptable in the 90s?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

There were no rules in the 90s. - Joe

[@rusty676]

wackkkk peep my top 100 ween playlist these guys obviously don't know what's up

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I don’t like Ween. So I will pass. - Joe

[@francisanosissi1]

Yr vibe of some kinda god given entitlement to judge others work..kinda irks..what do yr albums sound like?..

[@TastesLikeMusic]

They sound alright