2009 release from the Bass playing legend and leader of Primus. Since his last album release, 2006's Of Whales and Woe, Les has been busy with his films, scoring other people's films, scoring video games and just having fu... more »n out on tour. This album is a collection of songs inspired by the projects he has been working on over the past few year. Also on this album is a jam session with Eugene Hutz, the charismatic front-man of the band Gogol Bordello that turned into the track 'Bite Out Of Life'. 12 tracks.« less
2009 release from the Bass playing legend and leader of Primus. Since his last album release, 2006's Of Whales and Woe, Les has been busy with his films, scoring other people's films, scoring video games and just having fun out on tour. This album is a collection of songs inspired by the projects he has been working on over the past few year. Also on this album is a jam session with Eugene Hutz, the charismatic front-man of the band Gogol Bordello that turned into the track 'Bite Out Of Life'. 12 tracks.
"Judging by the title of the album and the leadoff track, I'm going to assume this is a companion album to the (Nintendo Wii and DS) video game "Mushroom Men." I know for certain the first track is the main theme of the video game and the Mr. Claypool wrote all the music for the game. (You even got a trippy blacklight poster of Claypool and some shrooms when you pre-ordered the game!)
So for everyone asking "what is this?" or stating "Les Claypool is uninspired" you may want to examine this option before naysaying his efforts, and consider the album for what it probably is - video game music."
If you thought the 'Brown Album' was brown...
J. Dahl | Australia | 04/06/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"isn't it reassuring every time les claypool puts out an album (in whatever incarnation). you're guaranteed something interesting, hillarious, funky and original. of fungi and foe may not be up there as far as les' previous "solo" albums but its definately got its place.
les seems to have morphed into some type of swamp monster for the time being - this album is muddy! if the brown album had a brown sound then this album is black! i have visions of les and band performing these songs in some muddy dank swamp, covered in mud and reeds whilst an audience of mud crabs and various other swamp creatures dance and sing along...
like i said, this album may not be les' best but NO ONE sounds like les. bring it"
Pass This One By (Mostly)
Xangis | Columbus, OH USA | 04/02/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This disc is actually less consistent and coherent than most of Les' previous work, which is saying a lot if you're a long-time fan like me (have all the albums, seen 'im live 5 times). It has its patches of fun-and-goofy like most of the previous work, but is entirely too "squawky" and clumsy to be very good for multiple listens. If you're considering going digital, pick up the tracks "Amanitas", "Kazoo", and "Booneville Stomp" and leave the rest behind."
My fav so far
Anglobotomy | Las Vegas, Nv United States | 03/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With the exception of Highball with the Devil, this is my favorite Les Claypool album to date. Purple Onion and Whales and Woe had me so upset with Les's decline in musical genius that I feared I'd never buy another album by him. Let's not even go near Colonel Claypool's Bucket....
This album is consistent throughout. There are stand out tracks as others have mention. Certainly my favorite is Bite Out of Life. Its wind, energetic, makes me want to jump around. Other tracks are less energetic but there is a creepy, oozy awesomeness that plays all through this album. It could be the soundtrack to a Jeff Vandermeer book. Highly textured, rich, but definitely an acquired taste. But hey, my wife actually liked it, and that's saying something. Good job Les (I say that cuz I know he'll read this)."