Customer Reviews

Anti Pop

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Primus has returned to the weirdness that has made them famous over the years. A complete 180 degree turn from the Brown Album, this album has it's heavy monsters, (laquerhead, anti-pop, and electric uncle sam), it's progressive pink-floyd-meets-Rush epics(eclectic electric and The Final Voyage of Liguid Sky) not to mention it's very demented closing number "The Coattails of a Dead Man". Les Claypool plays like a madman, propelling what might be an ordinary song in the hands of another band into future Primus classics. If you combined Pork Soda with Sailing the Seas of Cheese and threw a little bit of the Rhinoplasty sound, you might begin to resemble the excellent musical beast that is the anti-pop.

I don't get all the negative reviews for this album. Primus is an awesome live act, and this album captures their live sound better than anything else they've done (STSOC is a close second).

Now to the point of this review. This is a rhythm section delight. We all know Les is an amazing bassist (although he is a little overhyped), but the drumming, oh my heck the drumming? Maybe only a drummer would understand, but Brian pulls out some amazing chops on this disc. Just listen to the opening minutes of "Antipop" and listen to the intricacies (however you spell it) of the hi-hat work so get an idea of what I'm talking about.

Another thing - these guys actually sound aggresive and confident again. After 'Tales' and 'the brown album' you had to wonder what the heck was going on. On this album they actually sound alive. That's all I've got - take it for what it's worth.

This album is incredible! Every single song is perfect, there are no low points on this CD. The lyrics are great too and combined with Les' powerful bass lines makes a sound that's better then TV. Reminds me of Frizzle Fry but with a heavier, cleaner sound. Get this CD!

Oh yes, they are back! This is definitely the best cd since sailing the seas of cheese. Les is more for sure. Tom waits should be a permanent part of the band as everything they work on together turns to gold.

Rarely does an album grow on me the first time I listen to it. This one did.

Being a die hard Primus fan since about the time of Pork Soda, I may very well have driven more Primus through my auditory canal than any other band. Fluent in their cryptic vernacular, I have discerned that many Primus fans seem to think that Frizzle Fry, their first real album, was their best. I'm no exception. While all of their albums are good, I also tend to agree with those that site a negative correlation between how recent a Primus album is, and how much hiney it kicks. In fact, their last album, Brown, despite a few good songs, was my least favorite Primus work ever. This saddened me dearly, and I began to fear I would loose my favorite band to the vortex of no-name bands that got a name and forgot how to play. I writhe with glee to announce that this disturbing trend is very much over.

While I cant go so far as to say that its better than Frizzle Fry, Antipop is right up there, and in ways resembles Frizzle Fry more than any other album. But Antipop takes off where Frizzle Fry stopped, retaining the funk and punk, and adding a whole new layer of coolness. I love the backup vocals of Martina Topley-Bird in "Dirty Drowning Man", the ambient sound effects at the start of "Greet The Sacred Cow", the Floyd-ish effect laden "Eclectic Electric" (almost too Floyd for comfort, but you know what they say about imitation), and the haunting Tom Waits collaboration "Coattails of a Dead Man".

Guitarist Ler, who seemed to have fallen off the earth during the recording of Brown and been replaced by a monkey, is back with a vengeance, along with a few other guitar wielding guests. Les seems to have finally gotten over trying to be a one man band, and gone back to being only half of Primus, though the better half no doubt. Brain, the new drummer, does a fine job, and is proving himself to be not only a pseudo-mexican, but a pseudo-worthy successor to Herb as well. About the only thing missing is a song about fishing. I highly recommend this excellent Primus installment.

Well, depends on how much of a PRIMUS purist you are... definitely without a doubt their most adventurous. And despite the fact that there are guest "producers" a plenty on this record, they do nothing more than just that... they produce. With Hetfield and Morello lending a few non-imposing guitar chops here and there, they do not interfere with the bands genious in any way, not as much as they subtlely complement the sound. And as for the presence of *cringe* Fred Durst, well don't worry... not as much as a peep from him, thank God. "Laquerhead" (the Durst produced track) is quite the catchy rocker rather, if I do say so m'self... Not the PRIMUS album to start with, well I don't know... I think maybe it is, as this album no doubt the sharpest hook in PRIMUS' tacklebox. Fish On!

On Antipop, Primus regains the hard-edged swagger that Les so confidently exuded on such classics as Frizzle Fry and Cheese. Of course the bass licks are jaw dropping, and LaLonde's guitar is spectacular but finally Primus has regained the momentum that they started with Frizzle Fry and continued with Seas of Cheese. There are a number of guests on Antipop including the legendary Tom Waits on Coattails of a Dead Man, Tom Morello of the now defunct Rage Against the Machine on Electric Uncle Sam and Electic Electric with former FNM lead guitarist Jim Martin and (ugh)James Hetfield. The music rocks and Claypool is front and center tearing away at his bass, and delivering his oddball lyrics with nasal intensity. Eventhough, I think Primus was better with Herb Alexander, I can definitely respect this album and Les' vision of what he wanted it to be. If you are a serious Primus fan you should own this already but for the more casual fan, pick this up you won't be disappointed.

Les, you are the man! As a fellow bass player, i can say that what you do is amazing. this album was primus's best yet. with guest's like tom morello, guitarist of Rage Against The Machine, this is definetly a cd that any primus fan needs to buy. and for all of you don't who like primus, you can go to hell.

Contrary to the disc's subversive title, this is actually the most straightforward release Primus has given us in years. The production really shines here - every note of every instrument is crystal clear, and the end result is something that sounds more like the work of a concerted group effort than that of a mad genius. Tom Morello's guitar work is a welcome bonus, and Tom Waits is always a treat. Perhaps not as adventurous as some of the Cheeseboys' previous efforts (you decide whether that's a good thing or not), but this is a solid, rockin' album which, as others here have noted, often harkens back to the days of Frizzle Fry. Buy it!

After listening to "Tales From The Punchbowl," Primus' 9th album "Antipop" was very refreshing to hear. With Les' unforgettable bass riffs, Ler's wacky guitar playing, new energy with Brain on drums, and various producers including Tom Morello, Matt Stone, and Fred Durst, this album was asking for a high rating. I could honestly give every song on this album a 3-5 star rating. Primus with a metal edge! Go for it if you like hard rock.