Primus - Frizzle Fry

Released on the independent Caroline label in 1990, Frizzle Fry documents the San Francisco Bay area thrash-funk trio at its energetic best. The bare-bones production serves the group's skeletal sound well and makes the most of nearly live performances of gems such as the antiwar "Too Many Puppies," the stoner testimony of "Spegetti Western," and the madcap litany of "Groundhog's Day." Larry LaLonde's guitar is more melodic and concise than the squirrelly avant-gardisms of later albums such as Pork Soda (many of the lines were written by original guitarist Todd Huth). Bassist Les Claypool, meanwhile, is just stunning. By turns sounding like a scrappy Larry Graham or a dirty-minded John Wetton, his four-string slaps, slurs, and squeaks form a perfect union with drummer Tim Alexander's jazz-informed power beats. Claypool's goofy vocals owe a lot to P.I.L.-era John Lydon, with lyrics about Corn Chex, striped bass, and porn films. An inspired and assured studio debut. --James Rotondi Amazon.com

Early Greatness

This seminal album foreshadowed a really impressive set of albums ending with Pork Soda. The 1st John the Fisherman track is just as good as the 2 sequels on following albums and Too Many Puppies may be the best song they ever made. If you like Primus, buy this album! July 23, 2008

But Never Fear, You're Safe With Me. Well, Maybe.....

Everyone who knows anything about music is already familiar with the insanity/genious that is Les's lyrics and bass playing. However, many are not aware that are two other very talented performers in the band. Not convinced? Do yourself a favor and go buy this cd. Not only does it stand out as their best, IMHO, but it is a treat to anyone who appreciates guitar and drums. Lastly, before you listen to the end of Groundhog's Day, make sure you have nothing valuable around you. Recent studies have shown that people have a tendency to break things around them when listening to the last minute of that song. Primus sucks! March 16, 2008

Primus' 2nd best album

2nd best doesn't mean 2nd rate. I only titled my review as such because I personally think Sailing on Seas of Cheese is better. I can talk about how great of a bass player Les Claypool is and how he changed the way people play the bass guitar, but I won't. Anyone who has heard of Primus knows that Claypool is an innovator and a man amongst boys when it comes to his instrument.

What I would like everyone to do that listens to this album (or any of Primus' other great albums) is to pay special attention to the drums. The drums on a Primus record might be some of my favorite. Its not time keeping, for certain. Claypool's bass takes care of the timekeeping, the rhythm, and the lead. But the drums really accent the music. November 29, 2007

Mind Blown

I just picked up this album a few days ago and i haven't taken out of my CD player since. Something about the way the music fits together has got me hooked. The drumming is phenomenal. There are parts where the bass and guitar harmonize in the most unique way and it makes me think to myself, "I've never heard anything like that." If you are into Primus or any other of Claypool's side projects and you haven't heard this album, you should get it. It is definitely some of Les Claypool's best work. October 26, 2007

The search for signature

Debut studio LP for Primus, it's not as eccentric and bizarre as their next releases; as a result, it excels at continuity but lacks personality. In fact, those who know Primus more for their bigger records will be surprised by at least one thing here: the guitar is nearly an equal with Claypool's bass (sometimes even above!). True, songs like "The Toys Go Winding Down" and "Pudding Time" hint at the future, but this is still a band in its infancy molding their sound. Actually, Metallica seems to be nearly as much an influence on this as funk and Zappa (the guitar riff in the title track sounds almost plagiarized from Hetfield and company).

The longer songs generally strike truest as the band crafts strong soundscapes through epic territory that balance the guitar and percussion well. And as expected, the short goofs can just be chucked after the first couple listens. Don't expect an easy listen, though. Primus in its infancy is still a quirky little beast, but newbies raised on guitar solos in their metal may be best served to start here on them.

Best cuts: "Harold of the Rocks," "To Defy the Laws of Tradition," "Mr. Knowitall," "Frizzle Fry," "The Toys Go Winding Down," "Pudding Time," "Too Many Puppies" September 11, 2007

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