Chocolate and Cheese was Ween 's fourth studio album, originally released by Elektra Records in 1994 reaching Number 10 in the Billboard Heatseekers chart. It was the first Ween album to eschew the four-track recordings of their first three albums and utilize a professional recording studio. However, most of the instruments were still played by Dean and Gene Ween, including their drum machine. Chocolate and Cheese, a brilliant fusion of pop and gonzo humor, is arguably Ween's finest moment. The album proven for once and for all that along with their twisted sense of humor and wide musical vocabulary, Ween are also impressive songwriters. Over the course of Chocolate and Cheese, Ween explore virtually every permutation of pop, rock, soul, and funk. Dedicated to the late comedic actor John Candy, Chocolate and Cheese -- its title a perfect summation of the duo's blend of R&B and schlock -- upped the ante yet again. Widening the net to ensnare cowboy songs ("Drifter in the Dark"), Philly soul ("Freedom of '76"), Afro-Caribbean funk ("Voodoo Lady") that got up to Number 32 on the Billboard Modern Rock tracks chart, and Sergio Leone -inspired spaghetti Western epics ("Buenas Tardes Amigo"), Chocolate and Cheese also featured "Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)" and "Mister Would You Please Help My Pony," two of the creepiest tales of childhood trauma ever committed to vinyl? "The title is a lot deeper than anyone might assume. I suppose you could look at this as our "bustin' out" album. I feel that while this is our most mellow record, somehow it turned out to be the most aggressive. Anyways, I'm pretty proud of the way this album ended up and I'm sure you'll like it too." DEAN WEEN. Vinyl version: Double gatefold 180 gram LP, UK import.