TALES FROM THE PUNCHBOWL

I've heard many people praise this album very highly, but it is by far my least favorite Primus album. I only like about 5 songs on the whole thing; some are downright annoying, such as Mrs. Blaileen. Now Wynona's Big Brown Beaver is one of their best songs, more so for the lyrics than the music, but the music itself is really good on the song too. I think my favorite song on the whole album, though, is Southbound Pachyderm. Beyond that, the album just doesn't groove as much as their others, and I own and have listened to their entire catalog. The opening track is just ok; it's never really made an impression on me. After Southbound Pachyderm, the album just kind of slumps until De Anza Jig, which is quirky and comical. Once this song starts, I like the rest of the album, but overall this album just doesn't contain moments on par with Frizzle Fry or Sailing the Seas of Cheese. This is really just a disappointing offering from Primus. I'll listen to The Brown Album and Antipop over this record any day.