New Music Releases // Mike Patton – Mondo Cane

Label: Ipecac

Format: CD

Mondo Cane is a 2010 album by Mike Patton. Featuring a forty-member orchestra and fifteen-piece backing band, the album contains a series of cover versions of 1950s and 1960s Italian pop music. Patton conceived of the album while living in Bologna, and became attracted to music he heard on the radio featuring pop singers backed by orchestras.

Patton had heard these songs while living in Bologna; the singer had adopted the city as a second home after marrying Italian artist Titi Zuccatosta, and had become a fluent speaker of Italian. Patton began exploring Italian popular music; although initially wishing to listen to contemporary music, he found nothing that interested him. However, he became drawn to pop music from the 1950s and 1960s, intrigued by singers using orchestras for backing rather than pop bands. Having considered making an album covering these songs for some time, Patton initially believed he would approach the project with a small band, but was offered the chance to compose music for an orchestra. Patton then opted to use this opportunity to record Mondo Cane instead.

An album of cover versions of Italian pop music from the 50s and 60s, performed by Mike Patton along with an orchestra that consists of 60+ members. The album was planned for release in 2008, but its release was delayed until May of 2010.

Tracklist: Il Cielo in Una Stanza / Che Notte! / Ore D’amore / Deep Down / Quello Che Conta / Urlo Negro [mp3] / Scalinatella / L’Uomo Che Non Sapeva Amare / 20 Km Al Giorno / Ti Offro Da Bere / Senza Fine

Reviews: All Music Guide / Slant Magazine

Interview: A.V. Club