The man of one million voices Mike Patton has just announced a new album with French composer Jean-Claude Vannier, though you shouldn't be expecting a laid back, classy affair. Instead, the duo's debut single "On Top Of The World" is a pretty cynical lounge-styled jam with a hard-hitting chorus whose lyrics are definitely going to throw you for a loop.
Here's what the duo had to say about how this collaboration came to be.
“Jean-Claude and I met while working together on a Gainsbourg retrospective at the Hollywood Bowl in 2011,” explains Patton. “We bonded immediately. I could see he had a dedication and attention to detail that was relentless so the respect I had for him in my mind was magnified in person. We spoke loosely about working together in the future… and it took some time, but after a few years I contacted him and we began to ignite some sparks.”
“I would send Mike rough versions of the songs to get his thoughts, then I’d wait impatiently, staring at the clock, until I received his response,” offers Vannier about the process the duo used to create Corpse Flower. “He made my music awaken with his unique perspective and interpretations of my songs. A formidable vocalist, with a sense of humor, Mike and I created a strong, beautiful and sincere collection of music, as well as a friendship.”
The record, titled Corpse Flower due out September 13, features musicians such as Smokey Hormel (Beck, Johnny Cash), Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Nine Inch Nails), James Gadson (Beck, Jamie Lidell), Denys Lable, Bernard Paganotti (Magma), Daniel Ciampolini, Didier Malherbe, Léonard Le Cloarec and the Bécon Palace String Ensemble. Oh, and the song "C.3.3." has lyrics from Oscar Wilde's "The Ballad of Reading Gaol".
Enjoy some Patton goodness below and pre-order here.
