That, sir, is bass (play on words!?!?) ackwards!!!



But for reals, Frizzle Fry is like the true Primus. I can't possibly imagine listening to any of their last three albums more often...

A synth solo?

I get the feeling Frizzle Fry was written more live, and songs that were gradually added to bit by bit. The ones later feel more studio composed. Maybe the most straightforward of Primus albums, but for sheer instrumental intricacy, it's a work of art.

I used to hate Pork Soda, and it grew on me. The Brown Album isn't bad either, where Claypool obviously shows most of his Residents influence. Sailing the seas of cheese is basically somewhere on the same level/plane as Pork Soda.

Personally, James, I say give Frizzle Fry a listen. It's really a very different album than the rest. From a sheer instrumental/compositional point of view I feel it stands head, and shoulders, above the others.

Maybe Frizzle Fry has a more raw sound because it was on an independent label? Lots of the songs from Seas of Cheese and Pork Soda were written in the 1980s...

Primus for me was all a grower. I hated them when I first heard them, but the more I heard them, the more I wanted to hear them. Plus my friend would high five me everytime I said Primus Sucks, not knowing that was their slogan.

Off Topic but how is the OP a guest?

This may sound weird but I think a big part of it is that I don't like the way Frizzle Fry was produced. The drums and bass don't have enough depth and the Larry's guitar is way too rock guitar sounding. I think whoever was in the booth for that recording session just had no clue how to approach a band that sounded like Primus or maybe the band themselves just hadn't found their voice yet. Anyways, the end result is an album that to me doesn't sound as special and unique as their other albums, though of course I do still like it. "Too Many Puppies" especially is such a great song, but you know what? I probably like it so much because it sounds like it belongs on Sailing the Seas of Cheese.

I'm surprised to hear you diss ther last three albums. I agree that Antipop isn't quite up to snuff (though still pretty good) but The Brown Album and especially Tales from the Punch Bowl are terrific albums.

No dissing, sir. I love each of Primus's albums (can't say the same for the EPs). I know what you mean about the production on Frizzle Fry, but there is something about how awful it is that draws me to it, kinda like another of my favorites, You're Living All Over Me. It makes me feel like I'm right there back in Primus's heyday, before they were stars and before Les had super-sized his ego.

Why do you say 'Too Many Puppies' belongs on Seas of Cheese?

Also, if you haven't already, it would probably be worth the time for you to check out the EP they released last year. It has new recordings of a couple of Frizzle Fry tracks, 'Pudding Time' and 'Harold of the Rocks'...

^^ I think bad production work well if you're a band like Husker Du - Land Speed Record sounds great even if it was recorded on a 2-track

not so for Primus, I think - I don't even like the production on Sailing that much but the songs are great

Heh, well the first time I heard Frizzle Fry it was about a year old so I can't say I can relate to any kind of time travel effect while listening to it. But even back then it never fully clicked with me the way Sailing the Seas of Cheese did.

I have to say you're the only person I've ever heard describe Les as having a big ego. What makes you say that?

I just feel like the style of it has more in common with Sailing the Seas of Cheese than with Frizzle Fry. It has more of the quirkiness of STSOC and is reminiscent of tracks like "Here Come the Bastards", "American Life" and "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers".

Cool! I'll have to look for that one.

Just the way his demeanor has changed over the years. Back before Primus hit it big he used to interact with the crowd a lot and had a lot of fun with them. Later on, he acted more arrogant and even disallowed the very slogan that the fans loved and he had started.

I think it was just a matter of spreading out their best songs. I figure that's why their very best, 'Tommy the Cat', had to wait until Seas of Cheese to get released...