10 Greatest Bands Who Mixed Music Genres
3. Ween
Ween are a band that just shouldn’t work. Comprised primarily of Gene and Dean Ween (not their real names, obviously), they’ve made a lengthy and prolific career out of not taking anything altogether too seriously. They’ll switch genres on a dime, come out with some of the most outrageous lyrics imaginable, and generally focus on entertaining themselves.
Somehow, though, it all comes together into something unique and often brilliant. One key to their success is the sheer musicianship of the band: they can turn their hand to prog (“Buckingham Green”) or blue eyed soul (“Freedom Of ‘76”), then switch to a chilled out latin groove or full on metal, such is their virtuoso talent.
They also don’t do half measures, committing fully to each new interest. The best example is 1996’s 12 Golden Country Greats. Aside from the incredibly fruity language, it’s a dedicated and serious country record, with bonafide Nashville players making up the band. Unsurprisingly, it bemused fans, but gave Ween an in on the country scene.
They’re a band that can’t and won’t sit still. So restless are Ween that they split up and got back together within the space of three years - there’s plenty more mucking about to do.