PORK SODA

The issue that appears over and over when discussing Primus in the Archives is whether or not they should be considered progressive. In my opinion, Primus is certainly a prog band, no doubt about it. It so happens that Pork Soda is their least prog album I have ever heard (including Frizzle Fry, Seas of Cheese, Tales from the Punchbowl, Brown Album, and Suck on This). Pork Soda could be my least favourite Primus album behind the disgusting Antipop, but certainly is not worth throwing out the window because it's not as progressively influenced as their earlier (and later) work.

It's also true, that Pork Soda contains a lot of repetition, but not enough in my opinion to discredit the musical innovation and creativity. The album begins with a short mandolin solo before breaking into the galloping "My Name is Mud," which gets dragged out a bit longer than needed, but a worthy track nonetheless. "Welcome to this World" - one of my favourites off the album, "Nature Boy," and "DMV" - one of Primus's finest follow up and set the stage for a solid album. The solid foundation is broken however with weaker tracks such as "The Ol' Diamond-Back Sturgeon" and "Pork Soda," and most momentum is lost at "Wounded Knee" - a fine track, but not something that should be in the middle of a Primus album. Towards the end of the album, it slows down even more. Among the final tracks, only "Mr. Krinkle" stands out at being worth the listen. "Hamburger Train" at first seems very tempting but in reality, is nothing more than a band jam. It reminded me of the fateful "Animals Should Not Try to Act like People" which was purely more jamming than songwriting. So may be the problem with Pork Soda. Still, a careful balance between Claypool's stunning basslines, Tim Alexander's solid drum beats, and LaLonde's dark yet captivating guitar sound keep this album worth atleast the listen. And don't let Pork Soda turn you off from other Primus. Their finest work is in Sailing the Seas of Cheese and Tales from the Punchbowl, the two albums before and after Pork Soda. Primus's best? Hardly. Progressive? Irrelevant. Worth the listen? Certainly.