In the history of misunderstood bands, Ween certainly have to be considered near the top of the pile. Revered by a devout following who hang their hats on diversity and epic live shows, yet hated passionately by detractors who see the duo as nothing but a one-note drugged-out joke, brothers Gene and Dean Ween have never in their now 17 years played it straight and in return they've won rabid fans for life and vise versa.

Album number nine for the siblings Ween certainly will not mend fences for those who don't subscribe to their familiar schtick, but long time fans will have much to revel in here. The best moments on La Cucaracha are actually songs that are reminiscent of other, greater Ween works. "Learnin' To Love" sounds like it could have come directly off their goofy Country spoof record 12 Country Golden Greats and "With My Own Bare Hands" raunchy nastiness is prime for comparison to anything off of Ween's near masterpiece Chocolate and Cheese.

Unfortunately though, like most of Ween's studio work, La Cucaracha has its share of clunky filler. "Friends" sounds like the worst Pet Shop Boys meets They Might Be Giants song you'd ever come across and "The Fruit Man" is a poor white man's attempt at Reggae that shouldn't be condoned. Pure Guava or The Mollusk La Cucaracha it ain't, but it still has enough fleeting moments to recommend a few spins for individuals looking for something out of the ordinary which Ween certainly are and most certainly will forever be.