TALES FROM THE PUNCHBOWL

When I'm in the right mood, this is sometimes my favorite Primus album. And not just because it managed to piss off Winona Ryder and her (at the time) idiot boyfriend from Soul Asylum. Where "Pork Soda" would get tedious by the end of the album, this one, with plenty of diversity, remains fun from start to finish.

The best part, like on any Primus album, is Les Claypool's manic bass slapping. Somehow, he has managed, in a world with thousands, if not millions of bass players, to create a style that sets him apart from all other bassists. Guitarist Larry LaLonde reminds me somewhat of Captain Beefheart, with angular, but very interesting licks.

My favorite song has got to be Wynona's Big Brown Beaver. But honorable mention goes to Glass Sandwich. There was once a rumor that Claypool was one of The Residents (he was eleven when their first album was released), mostly because his singing voice is eerily similar to one of the eyeball guys. But this song sounds like it could have been on one of The Residents' classic albums. I bet he did that on purpose.