The Claypool Lennon Delirium is an American psychedelic rock band featuring bassist/vocalist Les Claypool (known from Primus) and Sean Lennon (still primarily known as his father’s son, but also increasingly so as a good artist in his own right). This may finally be the project that makes Sean known for something of his own. It certainly deserves to be.
The two met after Lennon’s band The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger had toured alongside Primus for a year in 2015. After the tour, Primus took a year off, during which Claypool invited Lennon over “to hang, drink wine, run some ideas, and play drums”.
Over the course of six weeks, they wrote and recorded a total of ten songs with both of them sharing various vocal and instrumental responsibilities, going beyond their core instruments of bass and guitar. This culminated in their first studio album Monolith of Phobos (2016).
South of Reality (2019) is their second album. It was once again recorded over a period of time at Claypool’s home recording studio. This time the duo actually got behind the album with a headlining tour. They also appeared on several high-profile TV slots, including those coveted US late-night talk shows.
The two musicians bring two distinctly different styles to the table, so it is incredibly satisfying to see them gelling so wonderfully. Claypool is known for technically exacting rock, while Lennon often favours a fuzzier approach, leaning on vibe and soft-focus melodies. When working together, Claypool seem to sharpen Lennon’s trippy elements, while the guitarist pushes the bassist toward melody. The benefits that they both (and consequently, the listener) get out of this collaboration are huge.
The experimental flair that they both embrace is retained, and even enhanced. The music is steeped in touches of 1960s psychedelia. Every song is imaginatively written and uniquely put together. There is both an endearing playfulness to the music, and a structure that keeps the song focused.
This may be challenging music for newcomers to their sound. What makes the challenge rewarding is the elasticity of their work, giving the record a sense of scope that underpins the gonzo array of aesthetics they’ve sewn together here.
In my opinion, this is the best album either musician has ever been involved in. It shows that this shouldn’t be some temporary side project. This collaboration is epic and it needs to continue.
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