Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade Returns With Psychedelic Fire & Weirdness on ‘Live Frogs: Volume 1’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Les Claypool has been a busy man to start 2026, with an upcoming nationwide tour, releasing a new double album with The Claypool Lennon Delirium, a new EP with Primus, and now comes another release,Return of the Live Frogs: Volume 1. Back in 2023, Les donned his Colonel persona again to revamp his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade for an amazing tour. This release is a reminder of that magic.  

The FFFB for this live offering is Sean Ono Lennon (aka Captain Shiner on guitar), Harry Waters (keys), Mike Dillon (percussion), Skerik (sax), and Paulo Baldi (drums) as the band stretches out and gets loose on four original songs. Each track allows for ample individual solos as the players take their turn in the spotlight. 

Opening with Claypool’s rumbling bass, “Up on the Roof”, from the excellent Purple Onion, sets the tone as Les leads the charge with Skerik blowing brass with abandon. Dillon’s vibe work accents the track before a revved-up guitar solo from Lennon screeches and wails. The stomping drums, electro keys, and syrupy bass tone, reminiscent of Bootsy Collins, color “Phantom Patriot,” which is the best showcase of Claypool’s unique talents as songwriter, bassist, and oddball singer. 

“D’s Diner” is fun, if a bit too repetitive, leading to the funniest moment on the album as Lennon screams at Les to stop asking him to go to the title restaurant and just eat there already. The clear highlight of the Return of the Live Frogs: Volume 1 closes things out as “Cosmic Highway” is a smoking display of musicianship from all involved. 

The fourteen-minute excursion is a blast of psychedelic wonder as the group locks in and shoots towards outer space. Pink Floyd-like guitar accents and smooth sax lines float along with nonstop cymbals and bass bursts, all culminating in a grandiose freakout that works everywhere. 

Les Claypool rarely sits still, working on one project or another, his Fearless Frog Brigade is the closest he has dipped into the jamband world, and Return of the Live Frogs: Volume 1 is a fantastic capturing of the reinvigorated outfit, here’s hoping volume two isn’t far off.