PORK SODA

I'd have to say 3.5 or 4 stars for this baby. Like some other albums I've heard recently (Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth, Raw Power by The Stooges, Confusion is Sex/Kill Yr Idols by Sonic Youth) this album starts out fabulous and very promising but gradually gets weaker, and by the time the album is done you see it as definitely not as good as during the first 10 or 15 minutes. 'My Name Is Mud' being absolutely the highlight of the album, the riff is almost metal and if listening in the dark you'll probably get scared as it thunders on in. All of the next songs are pretty good, 'DMV' being incredible (maybe I'm a bit partial because it was the first Primus song I ever heard). The intro to DMV is just...wow. Probably the greatest thing I have ever heard done on a bass guitar. Incredible. 'Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon' is where it starts to get weak. Not the greatest track of the bunch. Nature Boy starts out average but about the halfway mark it gets on this funk rock jam which is another highlight of the album. 'Wounded Knee' is very druggie, when it starts up it's definitely a break in the album. Calm and relaxing to an extent, easy going, nice track. The title track is great except for the little jingle Claypool sings. 'The Pressman' and 'Mr. Krinkle' are both pretty good, not weak tracks but not the best. Ah then here comes the total downer of the album. 'The Air Is Getting Slippery' is a COMPLETE novelty song, something I'd consider playing to a toddler. I knew Primus were a bit silly, but when this came on I just thought 'OK, this is beyond the point of being silly, this is downright stupid'. After that you get Hamburger Train which is a good band jam but not great, I was expecting a more progressive piece as it is over 8 minutes but it kind of retains the same atmosphere. Similar, in that sense, to 'Reocurring Dreams' by Husker Du. Entertaining but doesn't go very many places, as opposed to what Pink Floyd and King Crimson could do. After 'Hamburger Train' it's not much. Just ending the album. The album starts out great, VERY powerful and strong, almost sounds like a funked up BLACK SABBATH at some parts. For the vibe of the album, look at the cover. That's it. Dark and mysterious, a bit scary and a tad raunchy but still goofy and silly. Good album. My only Primus album (so far. I just picked this up a few hours ago) but I am definitely going to get Frizzle Fry and Seas of Cheese. Don't believe all the put-downs people are giving, because overall this is a good album and like nothing else the world had ever seen. Primus IS their own genre. Get it.