Colonol Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains - The Big Eyeball in the Sky
For those of you who didn't instantly recognize the name Claypool, that is a bands name, and CD title. Yet another group of musicians former Primus mastermind/bassist/vocalist Les Claypool peiced together for another project. The name of the band being parts of each members name. Colonol Claypool (Les Claypool-Bass/Vocals) Bucket (Buckethead-Guitar) of Bernie (Bernie Worrell-Keyboards) Brains (Brain-Drums).
Anyone who is familiar with Les Claypools past work (Primus, Sausage, Oysterhead, Colonol Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade) this one doesn't fall far from those musically. It is still Les's signature hillbilly funk bass guitar, and unique vocals. The rest of the musicians are phenominal also.
Buckethead's guitar work is just amazing. He is one of the most rock oriented guitarists Les has worked with, and his own eccentric stylings actually compliment Les's bass excellently. Sometimes with two players who are so talented, a battle can result. These two on strings are a battle, but more so in a dueling banjo's way, than Axl shoving Slash (or Buckethead) around. I think Buckethead would be more famous if he didn't have his signature KFC bucket decorated with funeral stickers, on his head, and his face obscured by a mask. Talent does not require a gimmick.
The other members of the group, I am not particularly familiar with. Both are talented musicians, and compliment the rest of the group well. I think Brains played drums on a Primus album or two, but I am not sure, or that worried about looking it up.
Overall the CD is an excellent effort, even though a few songs seem to get repetative on the groove from earlier songs. The music screams one thing - musicianship. Its not about the catchiest guitar and bass line, and most certainly is not the vocals. (For those who don't know Les's vocals, they are high pitched slightly twangy mayhem). Les's vocals scare more away from his music than anything.
The album showcases what four talented musicians can accomplish when they just get together and jam. Its not your standard pop fair. Its sounds and rhythm, that plods and drives and twists around an alternate reality. Its not anything like many know of as music, but it is grand in its own scheme. For any fan of Les Claypool, the CD is a must have. For a casual listener, probably not. I'd recommend listening to the first track, and if you think you can listen to an entire CD of music such as, then it may be a purchase.
1. Buckethead - One of my favorite songs off the cd. It showcases all the members, and is about the infamous guitarist, Buckethead. Fairy tale like lyrics, out of Les. "His face was pale as pancakes in the light." Starts out with organ, then Les kicks in with his unique lyrics. Then, the jam starts. A duel of bass and guitar, with Brains drums driving the music progressively forward. The song eventually turns into a solo fest. Bernies keys are excellent, and go over the infectuous groove of Les's bass amazingly well. The song dies down, with an even odder falcetto out of Les, then... PHENOMINAL guitar solo out of Buckethead. No wonder why Axl tried to use him for Guns and Roses. He was a suitable replacement for Slash. 5/5
2. Thai Noodles - This is yet another head bobbing song. Excellent groove to the song. A lot going on musically, almost too much. The song doesn't seem very structured at all. It wouldn't surprise me if this song was very different every time they played it. The song is designed for improv, and playing off of the other members. I'd love to hear it live. 4/5
3. Tyranny of the Hunt - Starts out with the guitar having the lead, and the groove. Typical primus styled vocals. Not a bad song at all, but not particularly outstanding. Its that song you listen to whenever its on, but doesn't quite get stuck in your head. In what seems to be standard fashion for the band, the beginning is a bit more structured, then the solo's and musicianship begins to take control. 3/5
4. Elephant Ghost - Can you say... 9:58 instrumental? This song is one of the reasons why I love this CD. It begins with an almost Santana "Oye Como Va" bass line, and plods, and pushes from there. The song continually progresses, as new elements, and twists to the lines get added. Numerous solos throughout the song. A ten minute instrumental isn't for everyone, but this guy sure loved it. 5/5
5. Hip Shot From the Slab - Not one of my favorites off the disk. Les's vocals at the beginning make me think he somehow conjured the spirit of Billy Bob Thornton in "Slingblade." Musically speaking, it has the potential for greatness, but never manages to click for me. Its a bit too eclectic for my tastes. 2/5
6. Junior - Another song that doesn't quite call me by the intro. Its a faster paced song than Hip Shot, and seems to gel together musically a little bit better. The song is a bit more structured than some of the other songs, but still leaves tons of room for improv. Another song I would love to hear live. 3/5
7. Scott Taylor - Song starts out with an excellent keyboard line, with the added bonus of being another fine instrumental. The song constantly evolves and changes, with the only tie being the keyboard line in the beginning, being transferred from instrument to instrument, as it is morphed and toyed with. Numerous tempo changes, lead changes... This is a song drug cultures are founded on. 4/5
8. The Big Eyeball in the Sky - Another one of those songs that isn't quite up to par with the rest of the disk. Probably some of the better lyrics off the disk, but most don't listen to Les due to his lyrics. His comedic social commentary is in full effect on this song. The bass line isn't the most memorable, but bucketheads guitar work is solid throughout the song. 3/5
9. Jackalope - this one just plods along. If it was muffled properly, and you only heard part of the bass line, you would think you were stuck in the mall. I will say Bucketheads guitar work is the highlight of the song, but never manages to wrestle the sound away from Les's walking bass line. 2/5
10. 48 Hours To Go - This song picks up the CD. After a few songs of tapering off, Les pulls another bass groove of epidemic proportions out of his ass. Its the kind of groove that makes Bootsy Collins bob his head and say damn. Buckethead plays off of the groove, as Brains continues to prove to be excellent at holding down the rhythm for this eclectic group of musicians. Buckethead showcases why he is the #1 KFC bucket wearing guitar afficianado in the world. 4/5
11. Ignorance is Bliss - Les breaks out the Cello for this one. Brains with the army march guitar rolls. Bucketheads guitar sings a slow soprano over the rest of the band, while Bernies keys fill in the empty space, then the song goes into the more standard upbeat groove for Les's vocals. Slows again for the cello part, then back to driving forward for vocals. Goes back to slow cello, then more of Bucketheads remarkable guitar work. Just.... WOW. The man amazes me. After that, Les goes into this bass line that.... DAYUM!!! I can't even begin to comprehend how he plays like he does. 5/5
Anyone who is familiar with Les Claypools past work (Primus, Sausage, Oysterhead, Colonol Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade) this one doesn't fall far from those musically. It is still Les's signature hillbilly funk bass guitar, and unique vocals. The rest of the musicians are phenominal also.
Buckethead's guitar work is just amazing. He is one of the most rock oriented guitarists Les has worked with, and his own eccentric stylings actually compliment Les's bass excellently. Sometimes with two players who are so talented, a battle can result. These two on strings are a battle, but more so in a dueling banjo's way, than Axl shoving Slash (or Buckethead) around. I think Buckethead would be more famous if he didn't have his signature KFC bucket decorated with funeral stickers, on his head, and his face obscured by a mask. Talent does not require a gimmick.
The other members of the group, I am not particularly familiar with. Both are talented musicians, and compliment the rest of the group well. I think Brains played drums on a Primus album or two, but I am not sure, or that worried about looking it up.
Overall the CD is an excellent effort, even though a few songs seem to get repetative on the groove from earlier songs. The music screams one thing - musicianship. Its not about the catchiest guitar and bass line, and most certainly is not the vocals. (For those who don't know Les's vocals, they are high pitched slightly twangy mayhem). Les's vocals scare more away from his music than anything.
The album showcases what four talented musicians can accomplish when they just get together and jam. Its not your standard pop fair. Its sounds and rhythm, that plods and drives and twists around an alternate reality. Its not anything like many know of as music, but it is grand in its own scheme. For any fan of Les Claypool, the CD is a must have. For a casual listener, probably not. I'd recommend listening to the first track, and if you think you can listen to an entire CD of music such as, then it may be a purchase.
1. Buckethead - One of my favorite songs off the cd. It showcases all the members, and is about the infamous guitarist, Buckethead. Fairy tale like lyrics, out of Les. "His face was pale as pancakes in the light." Starts out with organ, then Les kicks in with his unique lyrics. Then, the jam starts. A duel of bass and guitar, with Brains drums driving the music progressively forward. The song eventually turns into a solo fest. Bernies keys are excellent, and go over the infectuous groove of Les's bass amazingly well. The song dies down, with an even odder falcetto out of Les, then... PHENOMINAL guitar solo out of Buckethead. No wonder why Axl tried to use him for Guns and Roses. He was a suitable replacement for Slash. 5/5
2. Thai Noodles - This is yet another head bobbing song. Excellent groove to the song. A lot going on musically, almost too much. The song doesn't seem very structured at all. It wouldn't surprise me if this song was very different every time they played it. The song is designed for improv, and playing off of the other members. I'd love to hear it live. 4/5
3. Tyranny of the Hunt - Starts out with the guitar having the lead, and the groove. Typical primus styled vocals. Not a bad song at all, but not particularly outstanding. Its that song you listen to whenever its on, but doesn't quite get stuck in your head. In what seems to be standard fashion for the band, the beginning is a bit more structured, then the solo's and musicianship begins to take control. 3/5
4. Elephant Ghost - Can you say... 9:58 instrumental? This song is one of the reasons why I love this CD. It begins with an almost Santana "Oye Como Va" bass line, and plods, and pushes from there. The song continually progresses, as new elements, and twists to the lines get added. Numerous solos throughout the song. A ten minute instrumental isn't for everyone, but this guy sure loved it. 5/5
5. Hip Shot From the Slab - Not one of my favorites off the disk. Les's vocals at the beginning make me think he somehow conjured the spirit of Billy Bob Thornton in "Slingblade." Musically speaking, it has the potential for greatness, but never manages to click for me. Its a bit too eclectic for my tastes. 2/5
6. Junior - Another song that doesn't quite call me by the intro. Its a faster paced song than Hip Shot, and seems to gel together musically a little bit better. The song is a bit more structured than some of the other songs, but still leaves tons of room for improv. Another song I would love to hear live. 3/5
7. Scott Taylor - Song starts out with an excellent keyboard line, with the added bonus of being another fine instrumental. The song constantly evolves and changes, with the only tie being the keyboard line in the beginning, being transferred from instrument to instrument, as it is morphed and toyed with. Numerous tempo changes, lead changes... This is a song drug cultures are founded on. 4/5
8. The Big Eyeball in the Sky - Another one of those songs that isn't quite up to par with the rest of the disk. Probably some of the better lyrics off the disk, but most don't listen to Les due to his lyrics. His comedic social commentary is in full effect on this song. The bass line isn't the most memorable, but bucketheads guitar work is solid throughout the song. 3/5
9. Jackalope - this one just plods along. If it was muffled properly, and you only heard part of the bass line, you would think you were stuck in the mall. I will say Bucketheads guitar work is the highlight of the song, but never manages to wrestle the sound away from Les's walking bass line. 2/5
10. 48 Hours To Go - This song picks up the CD. After a few songs of tapering off, Les pulls another bass groove of epidemic proportions out of his ass. Its the kind of groove that makes Bootsy Collins bob his head and say damn. Buckethead plays off of the groove, as Brains continues to prove to be excellent at holding down the rhythm for this eclectic group of musicians. Buckethead showcases why he is the #1 KFC bucket wearing guitar afficianado in the world. 4/5
11. Ignorance is Bliss - Les breaks out the Cello for this one. Brains with the army march guitar rolls. Bucketheads guitar sings a slow soprano over the rest of the band, while Bernies keys fill in the empty space, then the song goes into the more standard upbeat groove for Les's vocals. Slows again for the cello part, then back to driving forward for vocals. Goes back to slow cello, then more of Bucketheads remarkable guitar work. Just.... WOW. The man amazes me. After that, Les goes into this bass line that.... DAYUM!!! I can't even begin to comprehend how he plays like he does. 5/5
posted by Michael at 11/09/2004 09:34:00 AM
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