SAILING THE SEAS OF CHEESE

I'm a fan and composer of experimental music, so that tends to color what I enjoy listening to. I don't recommend Primus for anyone and everyone, Les Claypool's whacked out voice is something of an acquired taste, but for those willing to give Primus a try, Seas Of Cheese is an excellent place to start.

The album is more jam-oriented than Frizzle Fry, the weird synthesis of Rush, Zappa, and Crimson in full flower. "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" broke the band into the mainstream (first Primus song I heard, never get tired of it!) but don't miss the thunderous 5/4 "Here Come The Bastards", the Full Metal Jacket inspired "Sgt. Baker", the funky beatnik rant "Tommy the Cat" (feat. Tom Waits as the title character!), or the sheer nuttiness of "Is It Luck?" One that's always been a personal favorite of mine is "The Eleven", a doomy metal slab -- unique in that it's one of only two rock songs to be written in 11/8 time (the other is by the Grateful Dead, and oddly enough is also called "Eleven").

Claypool's monstrous bass slaps and insane ringmaster delivery are the stars of the show, but due credit must also be given to Tim Alexander's solid drumming (and some really nice fills) and Larry LaLonde's sheets of atonal squalor (the solo he peels off on "Tommy" could give even Mr. Fripp a run for his money).

Some of the shorter tracks do sound like they're just taking up space (one of which finds Claypool singing in the shower), but thankfully none of them overstay their welcome. Fishing themes carry over from Frizzle Fry in the delightfully demented jam "Fish On".

All said and done, a very enjoyable 45 min., and newcomers might prefer it to the more experimental Pork Soda. Again, not for everyone, I'm assuming that if what I've described sounds less than appealing, you aren't reading this far.

FISH ON!