over the weekend i heard a few of weens songs and was really into them. i've downloaded their discography.

anyways i just want to know which do you think is a good album to get a new ween fan started on?

To me, Chocolate and Cheese is definitely the place to start. It's a bit of a transition between their earlier ranchy and raw stuff (which I'm not as big of a fan of) and their newer, more slick stuff. I just listened to that album today, in fact. There are about 3 clunkers out of the 16 tracks, but there are also several that are flat-out amazing, like "Voodoo Lady," "Spinal Meningitis," "Buenos Tardes Amigos," and "What Deaner Was Talking About."

If I had to rank the Ween albums I'd go:

1 - Chocolate and Cheese
2 - White Pepper
3 - The Mollusk
4 - Quebec
5 - 12 Golden Country Greats
6 - Pure Guava

and I really don't like their first two, Godweensatan and The Pod, much at all.

Ween is one of my favorite bands ever. Though I wouldn't normally recommend the newest album for someone to get into a band, I think "Quebec," or "White Pepper" are great places to start with Ween. I think it would be more worthwhile to get a hold on their more coherent, songwriting-oriented stuff (I think what RL means by their "slick" stuff) *first*. Then maybe it's easier to see where their obscene, crazy stuff is coming from, and realize that in its own way it's just as full of merit.

"Quebec" is good for seeing them as both great melodic songwriters ("Chocolate Town," "Transdermal Celebration") and weird fringe acid heads ("So Many People In The Neighborhood," "The F***ed Jam"). Plus it's got some brilliant guitar solos ("Trans. Cel," "I Don't Want It").

I don't think Ween has really gotten their due. Many of their fans are jam band freaks who seem to just get off on the bizarre, druggy qualities of the music, and lump them in with Frank Zappa. But I think, in their own way, Ween is one of the most talented, unique bands there ever was. Dean and Gene themselves don't identify with their fans; they really just make the music they want to make. They've made what, 9 albums now, and just keep honing their skills and doing their own thing without pandering.

White Pepper has some solid Beatles-esque stuff going on, like "Even If You Don't" and "Stay Forever". But Chocolate and Cheese is also a fantastic album.... and don't neglect to check out their Live In Chicago CD/DVD once you get into the albums.

a good place to start is Chocolate and Cheese. easy to listen to and fun. The MOllusk is another good starter. i would avoid Pure Guava and The Pod until you are certain you LOVE them.

also, their newest, La Cucaracha is fantastic.