THE BROWN ALBUM

This was the first Primus album I ever heard, and at that point I decided that I didn't much like Primus. It wasn't until several years and several Primus albums later that rediscovered the Brown Album and started to listen again. This is definitely not the album to check out if you are just being introduced to Primus, as it is not really representative of their overall work. Overall, the Brown Album leaves much to be desired when compared to other Primus records. Most songs are mediocre at best (though there are a few gems), the recording quality is intentionally muddy and distorted, and it sounds as if the drums were recorded through a distortion box. Brain's drumming style does not compare to Tim Alexander's (Primus' previous drummer on Frizzle Fry/Seas of Cheese). This is not to say the songs aren't interesting. Sathington Willoughby is a strange political rant, "Over the Falls" tells an interesting story, and "Restin' Bones" warns of the dangers of amphetamine use. The highlight of the album is "Chastising of the Renegade" which is more reminiscent of the Pork Soda days. There are really not filler tracks on the album, it just so happens that most of the songs are sub-par for Primus.