Faith No More: Mike Patton (vocals); Jon Hudson (guitar); Roddy Bottum (keyboards); Billy Gould (bass); Mike Bordin (drums).

Producers: Roli Mosimann, Billy Gould, Faith No More.

Engineers: Daniel Presley, Michael Bogus, Atom.

Recorded at Razor's Edge and Brilliant Studios, San Francisco, California.

Personnel: Mike Patton (vocals); Roddy Bottum (keyboards); Bill Gould (bass guitar); Mike Bordin (drums).

Audio Mixer: Roli Mosimann.

Recording information: Brilliant Studios, San Francisco, CA.

Faith No More's 1997 release Album of the Year featured the talents of another new guitarist, Jon Hudson, who replaced Dean Menta (Menta only toured with the group in support of King for a Day before being dismissed). Like King for a Day, Album is more straightforward musically than past releases and remains one of FNM's most focused and concise works. Recorded in bassist Billy Gould's home studio, Album of the Year would turn out to be their last studio recording before splitting up in 1997. A trio of outstanding tracks -- "Stripsearch," "Last Cup of Sorrow," and "Ashes to Ashes" -- blend hard rock and pop melodicism the way only FNM can, while "Helpless" is an unpredictable composition that alternates between heavy guitar riffing and Mike Patton's tempered vocals. The explosive album opener, "Collision," and "Naked in Front of the Computer" show that the band can still compose prime heavy rockers, while other musical forms were included as well (the romantic ballad "She Loves Me Not," the evil boogie of "Home Sick Home," and the Middle Eastern sounds of "Mouth to Mouth"). For the gripping album closer, "Pristina," the '90s turmoil in Yugoslavia is used as a backdrop for a tale of lovers being separated due to war. Album of the Year was a fitting way for one of alt-rock's most influential and important bands to end its career. ~ Greg Prato

ALBUM OF THE YEAR is Faith No More's sixth full-length release. It demonstrates the same kind of straight-ahead approach as its predecessor, KING FOR A DAY, but also contains plenty of surprises. The album was recorded entirely at bassist Billy Gould's home studio, and contains the highlights "Collision," "Stripsearch," "Last Cup of Sorrow," "Naked in Front of the Computer," and "Helpless." Despite the emergence of numerous up-and-coming bands that were mentioning FNM as an important influence, the bandmembers amicably went their separate ways upon the completion of their 1997-98 tour.

Spin (8/97, pp.114-115) - 7 (out of 10) - "...This is one of the few rock'n'roll bands that can drive through a soul-flavored song without sounding either sappy or mannered....In 1997, Faith No More may be to aging alt-rock dudes what Jefferson Starship were to those same dudes' parents. Fetch me the Geritol, honey...it's time to dance."

Entertainment Weekly (6/20/97, p.75) - "...tempers Mike Patton's he-man vocals and a wall of punk-funk metal with tracks that bring down the noise..." - Ratinga: B

Melody Maker (6/14/97, p.52) - "...As a rebirth, ALBUM OF THE YEAR is the best FNM could've done. And FNM's best is pretty...awesome."

NME (Magazine) (5/31/97, p.55) - "...ALBUM OF THE YEAR is a stepladder slamdunk return to form, encompassing all of FNM's Bullworker-mangling strengths in 12 fizzy tracks....Magic. Wouldn't want to French kiss them, but for once the tongue-in-cheek title is review in itself."