Customer Reviews

Of Whales and Woe [Vinyl]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

a message directed to D. Margo Berkeley Snapper, the one who gave this CD a terrible review: you're way too critical, and you don't know what the hell you're talking about. first of all, this is NOT a Primus album. so why the hell should it sound like one? it has all of Les' characteristics - the funky quirky bass playing, the cartoonish storytelling singing, and the groove oriented rhythmic song structures. yeah, it may be a little bit more raw compared to Primus, and maybe its not as "heavy" as Primus, but that doesn't make it a bad album. in fact, I think its the best record Les has done since the last Primus album. his songs are invitations into another world. his lyrics show that Les is a guy that obviously enjoys life and knows not to take anything too seriously. his descriptive words can make any topic seem interesting. he's laidback and he sure knows how to have fun while making an album. it definitely shows. this is Les' twisted, warped version of good-time happy music. I highly recommend it.

This album could best be related to a magic eye poster; at first glance it comes off as a plethora of color with no meaning, but if you give it two or three listens a picture begins to appear. At first I was very skeptical of it, Skerik's sax was a little too distorted, and Claypool's character tales came off a little forced and uninspired, but then I thought about all the god awful [...] that mainstream record labels shove down people's throats like so much tripe, and I could do nothing but thank the Colonel for his quirky, catchy, mesmerizing bass lines, and Mike Dillon for his xylophone mastery, and began to really appreciate this album and the music for just that, the music. Unlike what some of the more brown nosing critics I wont agree that it's the most cohesive album since "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" in my opinion the two aren't even in the same league, however, as for where Mr. Claypool wants his music to go and the sound he is going for, I dare say he's got it... Yo Ho Colonel!!!

I've been a Primus fan for a long time, and I've always noted the Residents influence. I think that it comes through more on this record than any other that Claypool has done, which is exciting to me. I didn't think that Highball and Purple Onion stood out as much as Sausage or Eyeball, so I was glad to hear something a little different this time. This album is far more textured than Onion and Eyeball, it just takes more attention to notice. This is also good, because it demands attention to digest it all instead of displaying it in an easily accessible manner. I think Primus comes across better because it's the work of 3 geniuses, but as far as a solo effort this record is very successful.

I'm a long time Les Claypool fan. He's never released an album I didn't like in some respects. That being said, I don't think it's fair to give this album a 5 star or a 1 star review. While it does have it's moments, many of the songs approach Les' strangest work. I don't mind weird Claypool, but I can't see him reaching any new fans with this work, and I can easily seeing a lot of long-time Primus fans very upset over this album. Before you brush off or praise this album, you really should give it multiple listens.

I hate to compare this to any of his other work simply because all of his work is so unique. The songs on this disc sound a lot more natural and organic compared to the music on Purple Onion. This is both bad and good. Listening to this feels more like watching Les just mess around on stage. Anyone who has seen any of his non-Primus shows will be familiar with this sound, but at the same time the songs aren't anywhere near as concise and catchy as the songs on Purple Onion. If there is any one negative thing I could say about this album, it's that it's short.. roughly 39 minutes. It'll definetely leave you wanting more.

So, should you buy it? If you're a Claypool fan that's a stupid question, because I'm sure you bought it already. If you are new to his music, pick up some Primus discs first.. or even Purple Onion or one of the Live Frogs disc. Of Whales and Woe isn't his best work, but what you get here is a decent album with some strong songs. It's not a breakthrough by any means, it's just Les doing what he does best.

Les Claypool has always been an innovative mind, and has always taken steps far beyond the paths of normal musicians to create some of the most virtuostically whacked-out music in the world. call it thrash, funk metal, or whatever suits your fancy, Claypool's music is, regardless, not for the faint of heart. Whether or not your musical tastes are suitable for Claypool's...interesting style of playing, his bass playing skills cannot be denied, as he is one of the best ever, and definitely the best living.

The new album, Of Whales And Woe, is certainly an interesting little number. This album, like Purple Onion, was composed entirely by Les, but unlike that album, this has a much more personal feel to it, and warrants the name Les Claypool, not Frog Brigade, on the cover. A song-by-song analysis:

1.) Back Off Turkey- If you've heard Purple Onion (the song), Les' looping skills are not something new. Here, Les and co. (including his kids) make a nice little introduction to the new record. Doesn't get a rating, as its not a song per se, but still excellent for what it is.

2.) One Better- The "single", for lack of a better word, from the album, One Better proves that Claypool isn't getting worse with age, but much much better- his bass playing is sharp, and the music is some his most complexly written ever. Skerik and Mike Dillon compliment Claypool nicely on this track, and its one of the best off of the album. Highly recommended. 5/5

3.) Lust Stings- The rumble of a bass starts this song chugging along, and a baritone sax gives it that dirty, smoke-filled bar feel that makes it one of the coolest tunes Les has ever composed. One that takes longer to wrap the ol noggin around, its worth it. 4/5

4.) Of Whales And Woe- More like Of Whales And WOAH! or Of Whales and WOW! ok, enough puns, but seriously, this song is damn good. Harkening back to early Primus, this song features Les really playing it up, with machine gun vocals layered over a starkly different bass part (a la tommy the cat, and highball's el sobrante fortnight), as Skerik blows into his sax harder than any human being alive. The song is by far my favorite on the record, and really is classic Les. 5/5

5.) Vernon The Company Man- George Harrison/Ravi Shankar territory here, folks. Les and Gabby have a nice little duet here, with Les chugging on the upright and Gabby stumming the sitar, with Les singing some refreshingly nonsenseical lyrics. Relaxing, and while not the best track ever, its certainly nice, and something different for Les. 3/5

6.) Phantom Patriot- Another winner, this song is absolutely crazy. Les steers this tune straight ahead while Skerik and Mike Dillon compliment Les' playing with sheer virtuosity. 5/5

7.) Iowan Gal- Another ditty, written for Les' one and only. Not for everyone, but the banjo bass makes it an interesting listen. 3/5

8.) Nothin' Ventured- This to me sounds like something off of The Brown Album, and has that sort of muddy mixing that made that album as cool as it is. The song is really awesome, and will get you stompin' around for sure. 4/5

9.) Rumble Of The Diesel- This and OWAW are the best tunes on the album. Mike Dillon takes the drum seat for this song, holding down the groove leaving Skerik and Les to go absolutely nuts. This song is the grooviest tune ever, and is really worth the price of admission just by itself. 5/5

10.) Robot Chicken- If you like the show, you'll know this tune. Its a nice song, and isn't gradeable since its not a "song". Still, great stuff.

11.) Filipino Ray- Good God, Les, slow down! This song showcases Les' most insane bassline ever, with the drums barely holding the song together, and Gabby La La struggling to keep up with the main man. Thats not a diss towards Gabby, as she's a master at the sitar, but even she has trouble keeping up with Les' rapid fire bass-playing. This song should be nuts live. 5/5

12.) Off-White Guilt- A full-band piece, but its mostly just them having fun and making some noise. Features the only fretless six-string on the album though, so its a nice ender. 3/5

One Better, Phantom Patriot, Of Whales And Woe, Rumble Of The Diesel and Filipino Ray are the winners here, and the places to start, but the other songs are all great too, and make for the most interesting listen you're ever bound to have. New fans, approach with caution.

It is ALWAYS refreshing to listen to a solo outing that doesn't sound like an attempt at the artist BEING the band all by himself. Ric Ocasek, for example, started his post-Cars solo career by trying to sound like The Cars (without the rest of the The Cars, of course), a thorough flipping of the bird to former bandmates.

Les Claypool doesn't sound like he is trying to do the sound of a former band without the rest of the members getting in his way in this one, _Of Whales and Woe_...but then again, what band could Les ever try to sound like? Primus? Sausage? Oysterhead? Actually, one might think, considering the range of bands Claypool has played with, that it might be impossible NOT to sound like one of his previous projects.

But the truth is that Claypool is an odd enough artist to be able to go out on his own and still sound as unique as always. We should all feel fortunate that Metallica turned him down when looking for a replacement for Cliff--no doubt, not only would Metallica have been changed forever (for the better?), but Claypool might not have developed into the punk-Zappa, Waits-drinking-buddy funkmaster we know and love. The only true connections to Primus-type work on this disc is the sea theme which pervaded Primus, but here Claypool lets the sea theme invade the music as well as the lyrics, fostering unusual collaborations of bass against anything but guitar.

It's hard not to bob along to Claypool's avant-funk in songs like "One Better," and the faux-epic storytelling of "Vernon the Company Man" is somewhat Tom Waits in nature, but how nice it is to see other Claypools join the effort in the first track.

Dance, jig, or just stare at the wall, _Of Whales and Woe_ is worth a few loud listens in your kitchen while fixing yourself a few cocktails. Grog preferred.

this is just really a really fun listen, as is much of his previous work. complex for sure, but certainly not pretentious or snooty about it. easily likeable for me, and stands up to repeat listens - even back-to-back which is not something I generally like.

thanks les. you suck.

OK, so Les Claypool has done various side projects and "solo" albums over the years, such as Sausage, the Holy Mackerel, and Frog Brigade. But you'll notice that this album is simply by Les Claypool, despite Mike Dillon, Sherik, and Gabby La La playing on most tracks. What's in the title? A lot - this is the first Claypool project to have no guitar or keyboards, for all practical purposes. As a result, Les's playing really stands out the way it did with Primus in the early 90s.

It took a couple listens for me to really absorb it, but overall I thought it was more consistent and overall a more enjoyable album than Purple Onion or even C2B3. "Back Off Turkey" and "Vernon the Company Man" are wasted space, but "One Better" (great solos) "Lust Stings" (huge, hard, heavy bass line ala Seas of Cheese) "Phantom Patriot" (hard driving rock) "Iowan Gal" (Bass Banjo!!!) "Nothin' Ventured" (classic Claypool fishin' song, similar to Punchbowl) and "Rumble of the Diesel" (great song, period) all will tickle your fancy.

Gabby La La's playing doesn't really come together until "Filipino Ray", but Mike Dillon is solid throughout on vibes and Marimba, and Sherik finally impresses with some blistering sax solos. Anyone in to Claypool's work will love this album.

This CD really speaks for the strides that Les has made professionally and creatively. He gained alot from knowing the people to bring together to make the music he feels. His drum work is even impressive on this one. Great sound quality coming from Rancho-Relaxo. The live show will probably leave the fans breathless.

This review is not so much a look at the album as it is a reply to the couple of reviews aimed at Les's band. To say that Les is not backed by any sort of real band is utterly ridiculous. Gabby LaLa is an innovative, intriguing musician, although somewhat unorthodox--it's not guitar, nor is it supposed to be. Skerik is one of the greatest sax men of our time; he has a solid jazz background--his group "Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet" has recently been called "jazz's best kept secret" by Rolling Stone magazine. Mike Dillon is one of the most sought after percussionists around; go see him live and you'll see why. And as for Sausage and original Primus drummer Jay Lane, well, nobody seems to be criticizing him. And why should they? He's a great drummer. Period.

So what's the matter with the album? It's not pop. Egad, what a travesty! Les is well known as a pure musician, making music for music's sake, not for the sake of selling albums. So, if you don't like this album, I'm quite certain that Les doesn't care.