Les Claypool has described himself as a type of musician who throws pasta up against the wall, some of it sticks, some of it doesn't. On his latest studio album, it does just that. Some of the tracks are amazing, some are so out of this world you curse his name for forcing you to listen. 'Of Fungi and Foe'is consistent throughout. There are no fillers on this album, but I do have my personal favorites, like "Bite Out of Life", an energetic diddy, that made me jump around. All in all, this album is highly textured, rich, but definitely an acquired taste. This is a work of sonic art that only someone so ahead of their time can create. It's like being in the future. Songs of certain potent strains of the so called hemp plant as well as jingles about every facet of life, from light to dark! A masterful piece of art in every sense of the word, and with only the skill which Les Claypool has! The mind-blowing bass work, the satirical/cynical lyrics and of course that voice. 'Of Fungi and Foe' continues in the same line musically as 'Of Whales and Woe'. Listening to the album you can definitely hear that it was born out of jam sessions and fragments of ideas. It may not be Les' best work. That been said, it is still a solid release. This is one of those rare albums that you can listen to from start to finish without wanting to skip a track. It's a bit darker then his other albums I must say, but that's a good thing. If you're a Les Claypool fan, you will want to add this one to your collection. However, it lacks the consistency of 'Whales and Woe'. Despite feeling a little rushed and suffering through a few low points, it ultimately does succeed based on the complex and fascinating sounds that are presented.
Highly Recommended
