PRIMUS - animals should not try to act like people (new audio material)

Jimmy Weasel - Tuesday, 14 October 2003 - Print Version

Returning with the original (Tim Alexander), Primus have released some brand new audio material to coincide with and accompany the DVD release.

This was ordered weeks ago, and it was with dismay that I found out local retailers (maybe one or two) were offering it to the general public the day of release, which was the same day mine would be shipped. So it's 7 days later, and I'm wallowing in this musical craziness that I've come to know from Primus. As yet, I've not had time to thoroughly scope out the entire DVD to render a just review; only sat down withe the audio component, some fat headphones and a glass of vodka and ice to let the music wash over me and tell me what to write.

This isn't going to be an objective review. Not in any sense. Primus have a special place in my heart; which is not to say that I will hold back from harsh words when the need arises. Just understand that there's no way this would ever disappoint me.

To begin, there's only 5 new tracks. Not a lot for a new release (and something I found disappointing), but more than was originally planned. And because it has the previous drummer, I'm well thrilled.

The first track, The Carpenter & the Dainty Bride opens with some strange introduction, and spend about a minute building to a crazed temp and mix of sounds overlapping, which last for the remaining 5 minutes of the song. Sometimes it feels like it's straight off Punchbowl, and others from Cheese.

Pilchers Squad is a lot fast, and isn't really similar to much before it. It is essentially some crazy words with music of meaning beyond my scope of understanding. I don't know what it means. I'm not sure anyone does.

Mary the Ice Cube is a beautiful indescribable dirge that lasts a little over four and a half minutes. I don't even know where to begin talking about it.

The Last Superpower (aka Rapscallion) is another freaked out little tune about this 'n that, and is the backdrop for some more musical craziness which hurts my brain as it proceed to mess about with the channels and seem to pass directly through my noggin and wallow somewhere at the back.

The final song on the album, My Friend Fats winds up the album which takes its sweet time getting weird, but I still dig it. The wait is worthwhile. Claypool's creepy whalelike screeching somewhere in the middle is nothing shy of haunting.

Overall, it's definitely a fine Primus production. Not too similar to any other album released by them or any other. It's the greatest thing I've heard all year. Perhaps there isn't the bass playing i was hoping for. It's very experimental. Probably not everyone's cup of tea. But having said that, you're a chump if you don't at least acknowledge its very existence, and should you not wish to slouch on the sofa of fantastically crazy music, then it's your own loss.

Jimmy Weasel