Faith No More are virtually impossible to categorize; they blend metal and rap elements in a mix that becomes seamless on The Real Thing, whose hit single, "Epic," is a perfect combination of these disparate genres. Other high points are the thrashy "Surprise! You're Dead!," an excellent cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs," the funk-layered-with-keyboards "Falling to Pieces," and the soft but spooky "Zombie Eaters." With the addition of vocalist Mike Patton, the band secured a highly talented frontman and skilled lyricist. The Real Thing is one of those rare albums that is impossible to quantify but astoundingly good. More accessible than the follow-up Angel Dust, it's also the first album new Faith No More listeners should get. --Genevieve Williams
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