XX (Mushroomhead album)

XX
Compilation album by
ReleasedMay 8, 2001 (2001-05-08)
Recorded1994–1999
Genre
Length69:22
LabelUniversal, Eclipse, Filthy Hands
ProducerMushroomhead, Steve Felton
Mushroomhead chronology
M3
(1999)
XX
(2001)
Remix 2000
(2002)
Singles from XX
  1. "Solitaire Unraveling"
    Released: 2001[3]
  2. "Before I Die"
    Released: 2002[4]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

XX (pronounced Double X) is a compilation album by American metal band Mushroomhead, released in 2001. It was originally released through Eclipse Records, where Mushroomhead took classic tracks and remixed them. XX was re-released on Universal Records in December of the same year. XX contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums: Mushroomhead, Superbuick, and M3.

Being the first Mushroomhead album released on a major label, XX's re-release on Universal Records introduced Mushroomhead on a national and international level, while they were previously just a regionally known band. The album has sold over 300,000 copies.[5] Musically, the album is primarily within the genres of industrial metal, nu metal and alternative metal with a diverse influence from genres such as gothic rock, punk rock, techno, and hip hop.[1]

Difference between versions

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Compared to the Universal Records release, the Eclipse Records version contains clearer production that's more faithful to the original albums, a different track listing, and a hidden prank call.[6] The original version features the newly recorded track "Epiphany". The reissued version removes "Epiphany", but includes the newly recorded track "Empty Spaces" along with remixes of "Too Much Nothing" and "Fear Held Dear".[7]

Music videos

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"Solitaire Unraveling" is the only song from the album to have a music video produced, which was directed by Dean Karr. The video is set in a Southern California airplane hangar and shows 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 founding member Skinny adds, "It's very much us: dark, creepy, surreal." It found airplay[8] on Uranium, Kerrang! TV, MTV2, and MTV2 Europe.[9]

Track listing

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Eclipse Records version
No.TitleWriter(s)Originally appeared onLength
1."Before I Die"Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack KilcoyneM33:13
2."Bwomp"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick6:23
3."Solitaire Unraveling"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM34:37
4."These Filthy Hands"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick5:22
5."Never Let It Go"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe KilcoyneSuperbuick4:41
6."Xeroxed"S. Felton, PopsonM32:52
7."The Wrist"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick5:09
8."Chancre Sore"S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick2:35
9."The New Cult King"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM35:12
10."Born of Desire"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM34:00
11."43"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, SekulaMushroomhead5:01
12."Epiphany"Schmitz 2:55
13."Episode 29" (Based on the "Hardcore Mix" version from Remix)S. Felton, Dave FeltonMushroomhead/Remix1:35
43."Bwomp" (Nord Mix)

"Dark and Evil Joe"
S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne
 
Superbuick

M3
14:51
Universal Records version
No.TitleWriter(s)Originally appeared onLength
1."Before I Die"Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Jack KilcoyneM33:13
2."Bwomp"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick6:26
3."Solitaire Unraveling"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM34:27
4."These Filthy Hands"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick5:23
5."Never Let It Go"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Joe KilcoyneSuperbuick4:41
6."Xeroxed"S. Felton, PopsonM32:57
7."The Wrist"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick5:09
8."Chancre Sore"S. Felton, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick2:36
9."The New Cult King"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM35:10
10."Empty Spaces" (Pink Floyd cover)Roger Waters 1:51
11."Born of Desire"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneM34:01
12."43"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, SekulaMushroomhead4:32
13."Fear Held Dear"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Joe KilcoyneSuperbuick2:18
14."Too Much Nothing"S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Popson, Sekula, Joe KilcoyneMushroomhead3:10
15."Episode 29" (Based on the "Hardcore Mix" version from Remix)S. Felton, Dave FeltonMushroomhead/Remix1:36
43."Bwomp" (Extended Version)S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack KilcoyneSuperbuick9:58
UK bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Fear Held Dear" (Live)Steve Felton, Jeffrey Hatrix, Tom Schmitz, Jason Popson, Joe Kilcoyne2:24
17."The Wrist" (Live)S. Felton, Hatrix, Schmitz, Sekula, Popson, Jack Kilcoyne5:32

Personnel

[edit]

Tracks noted are based on the reissued Universal Records version. JJ Righteous was featured in the booklet for the original version whereas Stitch was featured in the reissued version.[7]

Mushroomhead

  • Jeffrey Nothing – vocals
  • J Mann – vocals
  • Skinny – drums
  • Shmotz – keyboards
  • JJ Righteous – guitars (tracks 1–9, 11–14)
  • Pig Benis – bass (tracks 1–11, 13)
  • Bronson – turntables (tracks 1, 3, 6, 9, 11); guitars (track 10)
  • Gravy – guitars (tracks 10, 15)
  • Stitch – turntables (track 10)

Additional personnel

  • Dinner – guitars (tracks 1–9, 11–14)
  • Mr. Murdernickel – bass (tracks 12, 14)
  • DJ Virus – turntables (tracks 2, 4–5, 7–8, 12, 14)
  • Steve Felton – producer
  • Mushroomhead – producer
  • Bill Korecky – engineer, mixer (Eclipse version)
  • Pat Lewis – engineer
  • Scot Edgell – additional vocals (track 9)
  • Toby Wright – mixer (Universal version)
  • Elliott Blakey – mix assistant
  • Steven Marcussen – mastering (Universal version)
  • Vanessa Solowiow – photos, layout and design

Reception

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Charts

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Chart (2001–02) Peak
position
US Billboard 200 178
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard) 6
US Top Independent Albums (Billboard) 50

References

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  1. ^ a b c Henderson, Alex. "XX - Mushroomhead". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  2. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (April 12, 2022). "Classic Album Review: Mushroomhead|XX". Tinnitist. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "Mushroomhead Solitaire Unraveling (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "Mushroomhead Before I Die - Solitaire Unraveling (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "Mushroomhead". tartareandesire.com. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "Mushroomhead - X X". theprp.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  7. ^ a b XX Credits (liner notes). Eclipse Records. ER9906. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Mushroomhead Biography". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  9. ^ "Mushroomhead Solitaire unraveling". mvdbase.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  10. ^ "Mushroomhead - XX CD". cduniverse.com. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
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