The Claypool Lennon Delirium have premiered a new track titled “The Golden Egg Of Empathy” online from their just announced next studio album, “‘The Great Parrot-Ox And The Golden Egg Of Empathy” (due out May 01st.) In an interesting development, this new track features a guest turn from Willow, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. A multi-platinum musician in her own right, Willow has previously gushed over her love of Primus in the past.
As for this new 14-song concept album, it will be accompanied by a comic that will further flesh out its storyline. Per a press release:
‘Set in the once-glorious land of Cliptopia, where a sentient A.I. known as Cliptron and his army of robots are resourcing everything, then turning it all into Clipnex brand paperclips, the album follows young artist Hippard O. Campus Jr. as he rebels against his father, Hippard Sr. (owner of the Clipnex corporation and creator of Cliptron). With help from salty sea-dog Colonel O’Coren, Hipp embarks on a fantastical adventure to stop Cliptron’s cold, chrome heart from converting the world, humans included, into paperclips.
Hipp’s quest leads across the sea to the Isle of Lucidity, where the all-wise Ministry of Manatees guide him to the Great Parrot-Ox, whose Golden Egg Of Empathy is the only thing that can bring understanding and emotion to Cliptron.’
Sean Lennon, one half of the band’s namesake duo alongside Primus vocalist/bassist Les Claypool, commented further:
“‘The Great Parrot-Ox And The Golden Egg Of Empathy‘ is a cautionary tale of what could be in store for humanity if we continue to favor machines over men. It is a tale of a technocracy eclipsed by paperclips; a young man destined to unravel the fabric of his father’s folly, and a sacred feathered Goddess (played by Willow),who holds the egg-shaped key to their future.”
As for the decision to adapt this story into a comic book, rather than the animated film they had initially envisioned, Lennon stated:
“Initially Les and I were imagining a feature-length animated film for ‘Parrot-Ox‘, but we realized there wasn’t enough time to complete such an undertaking, so we asked Rich [Ragsdale] if he could distill the story into a comic book for us. He did an incredible job.”
“I think we all share a lot of taste and sensibility. The process was really smooth for the most part. I think the Colonel said he’s never been so happy so quickly with that kind of thing. Les and I really belabored the story beforehand, but when it came time for Rich to flesh it out, things went very quickly. Now that the story exists in this comic book form it’s even easier to imagine it becoming a feature some day. And you never know!”
The below animated music video for this second single from the record was also directed by Ragsdale. Claypool himself weighed in on this ambitious project, offering:
“‘The Great Parrot Ox And The Golden Egg Of Empathy‘ was over three years in the making and was the most labor intensive recording I have ever been involved in. The results are something Shiner and I are very proud of; a relevant concept piece accompanied by a colorful, phantasmic comic book.”
“The Great Parrot-Ox And The Golden Egg Of Empathy” track listing:
01 – “Pro-Log“
02 – “Wap (What A Predicament)“
03 – “The Wake Up Call“
04 – “Meat Machines“
05 – “Troll Bait“
06 – “Simplest Of Deeds“
07 – “Heart Of Chrome“
08 – “Through The Horizon“
09 – “Mantra Of The Manatee“
10 – “The Golden Egg Of Empathy” (feat. Willow)
11 – “Cliptopia“
12 – “Cliptron Scuttle“
13 – “Melody Of Entropy“
14 – “It’s A Wrap“
For pre-order options head to atorecords-ffm.com/tgpoateoe. As previously announced, the band will be touring with Primus and Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade” this summer on the ‘Claypool Gold’ tour.
