Claypool, Les: Of Whales and Woe

Quirky, eccentric, virtuosic, alternative, avant garde? Among the list of adjectives one could assign to Les Claypool we can now add prolific and all encompassing. See, in just this past year, Les has contributed a theme song to a television series (Robot Chicken), completed his first self produced film (Electric Apricot: Quest For Festeroo) released his first novel (South Of The Pump House), assembled a Primus collection and prepped for a nationwide tour! When does the man sleep?

The new release, on the humorously named and logoed Prawn Song records, is as one might expect an eclectic set (to say the least) of tunes that feature Les' typical up front bass sound. Unlike his lead bass playing heroes Entwistle and Lee however, Les covers the gamut of humanly possible bass sounds from virtuoso Jaco like lines "Back Off Turkey" to the slappy funk Zappaesque (horns and marimba) "One Better" and the Talking Headish title track. Heck there is even some bass driven alternative neo country folk on here in "Iowan Gal". I've never seen the program "Robot Chicken" but would love to see how the freaky theme music Les provided fits into the concept. That tune is in fact a very short instrumental (the only one on the album) devoid of bass with Les providing "misc. instrumentation". Abetted by crack musicians Mike Dillon on a variety of percussives, Sherik on saxes and Gabby LaLa on theremin and sitar you just don't know what to expect next on this bottom end fuelled rollercoaster ride. Totally unique and memorable to be sure. Highly recommended and one heck of a fun listen to boot.

Track listing
1. Back Off Turkey
2. One Better
3. Lust Stings
4. Of Whales And Woe
5. Vernon The Company Man
6. Phantom Patriot
7. Iowan Gal
8. Nothin' Ventured
9. Rumble Of The Diesel
10. Robot Chicken
11. Filipino Ray
12. Off-White Guilt

Added: October 24th 2006
Reviewer: Mike Blackburn
Score:
Related Link: Les Claypool Website
Hits: 2614
Language: english

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