IN REVIEW: Les Claypool's Duo de Twang - "Four Foot Shack"

If there's one thing you can depend on when it comes to Les Claypool, it's that he never releases an album that isn't interesting. Best known for laying down the foundation of Primus' funk-metal groove (and renowned as one of the planet's premier bassists), Claypool often goes after a concept most artists wouldn't dream of. Exhibit A: Live Frogs Set 2, released in 2001 (credited as Les Claypool's Frog Brigade). It's not just any old live album, but rather a complete and total cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals. Exhibit B: Four Foot Shack, wherein Claypool and guitarist Bryan Kehoe reinterpret songs from all eras of Claypool's discography (as well as a few covers) using only bass, guitar, vocals and stomping.

It's certainly an interesting idea for an album, especially given just how varied and far-reaching Claypool's discography is; this isn't just a bunch of Primus songs redone with twang, it goes deep into Claypool's discography. That said, most Primus tracks go largely untouched; Wynona's Big Brown Beaver and Jerry Was a Race Car Driver are really the only two Primus originals here. Most of the album delves into Claypool's solo work, but the songs curated are a killer cross-section of his work. In addition to tracks from his two most recent solo albums, we get renditions of stellar tracks like Frog Brigade originals Buzzards of Green Hill and D's Diner, as well as early solo career highlight Hendershot.

Of course, much of the attention Four Foot Shack will be given is in regards to its cover songs. Again, the source material used is diverse; Jerry Reed's Amos Moses (which Primus had covered themselves in 1998) benefits greatly from the swamped up treatment, being a swamp song at its core as it is. Surf rock classic Pipe Line is here too, and makes a neat intermission between the album's two halves. There are also a couple of classic C&W songs getting the treatment; The Battle of New Orleans, a hit for Johnny Horton in 1959, and Stompin' Tom Connors' 1972 track The Bridge Came Tumbling Down (a surprising inclusion, and a welcome one).

Musically and thematically, those songs are in Duo de Twang's wheelhouse, and they work really well as a result. However, never shy of a little risk, Claypool also includes covers of The Bee Gees and Alice in Chains. The countrified take on Stayin' Alive is shockingly funny until the novelty wears off, then it's shockingly good. Who knew cajun disco could sound so pleasing? The cover of Man in the Box, as much as I want to love it, just kind of sours on me. The vocals venture way too deep into hokey waters, and what was undoubtedly intended as a tribute comes off more like a parody.

All in all, Four Foot Shack's sum doesn't quite equal its parts; as you might imagine, with so little musical variation throughout it wears a bit thin if listening to it all in one sitting. That said, I can't fault it too much on account of my attention span. The song choices are fantastic, and the playing is top notch. If you just like to hear Les cut loose on his bass, there are a lot more frantic fret beatings on this album than many of his recent releases (that last Primus record included).

Four Foot Shack never quite escapes its status as a novelty item, which ultimately prevents me from taking it as seriously as I would most other albums. But as novelty items go it's as good as I hoped for; besides, I doubt Claypool needs anyone pondering why he does the things he does when they could just as easily shut the fuck up, tap their feet, and get lost in the groove.

February 4, 2014 • ATO

Highlights Amos Moses • Stayin' Alive • Buzzards of Green Hill