Album of the Week: Frizzle Fry by Primus

Primus – Frizzle Fry – Caroline Records – February 1990

As I contemplated what band and album I wanted to focus on this week it became abundantly clear that I should go with a 90’s classic. That is why I settled on Primus’ Frizzle Fry their first studio album, which is nothing short of genius. Recently this album has became more known because of a 2002 re-mastered re-release with two extra tracks and a U.S. tour in which the band played the album in entirety as its second set. More recently Guitar Hero 2 slotted “John the Fisherman” as one of the featured tracks. On a side note if you can email me the track in which they mention the movie Evil Dead I’ll tip my hat.

The bass play of Les Claypool (Bass), Larry Lalonde (Guitar) and Tim Alexander (Drums) is wacky, complicated and brilliant rock and roll. This album specifically debuts their unique sound and the start of their cult following for years to come. Primus is hard to categorize but could call them alternative or funk metal. If you like Rush, Led Zeppelin or Iron Maiden you should check Frizzle Fry out.

“To Defy the Laws of Tradition” opens with a live snippet of Rush’s “YYZ” which veers into a winding bass line that is suddenly cut by Larry Lalonde’s searing guitar and topped of by hi-hat driven drum line from Tim Alexander. This track gets a quiet little interlude with Claypool singing, “to defy the laws of tradition is a crusade only of the brave”. Finally, LaLonde rips a solo that exhibits his ability to paint over Claypool and Alexander’s heavy/complicated rhythms.

“Ground Hog’s Day” starts with a lazy bass, guitar and drums that wander in and out of LaLonde mini solos and builds to a cry of “my name” by Claypool. This chant signals the band to escalate their noise and speed into a bass plucking and a guitar ripping frenzy. Metal riffs accompany the band along the first showcase of their precision Rush-esque rock and roll.

“Too Many Puppies” starts with ride cymbal hits that are cut off by a united riff and cymbal crash. Lalonde again flashes his PRS around one of the simpler tracks on the album. Claypool spouts military inspired lyrics that refer to those in service as puppies “too many puppies are being shot in the dark…we maintain our oil fields…too many puppies are trained to kill.”

“Mr. Kowitall” opens with a Claypool rant and then straight into a rhythm section of thumping bass and double kick drums. Lalonde paints guitar licks over the top and this track starts to expose Claypool’s unique voice and wily lyrics.

“Frizzle Fry” has an intro of bass and guitar strings being scratched. From the get go it is evil in its guitar/bass sounds and the strange lyrics. “I don’t believe in miracles, I don’t believe in lies, I don’t believe in hologram, I don’t believe in captain crunch, for I am the frizzle fry.” The song then gets even creepier as it winds through a plucked bass line backed by artsy guitar and drums. The band continues to grind along when all of a sudden at the 4:40 marks they erupt into a frenzy of Claypool and Lalonde strings and Alexander ripping Bonham like drums. Guitar riffs round out the final seconds and you are shown the exit door by Claypool’s bass guitar. This easily my favorite track on the album as it shows how fucking badass this trio is at playing rock music.

“John the Fisherman” was a minor radio hit and is the poppiest songs on the album. Many people know this track because it is featured in Guitar Hero 2. The band created a music video of the band playing on Les’s boat and a cartoon story about a fisherman jumbled together. This is another great song on the album and is one of the first to turn to on a first listen.

“You Can’t Kill Michael Malloy” is a 26 second circus music interlude or intro for “The Toys Go Winding” and is such a far cry from the darkness of the next track.

‘The Toys Go Winging Down” is a display of Primus’ dark side that is driven by a triplet-slap of a bass line. It features Claypool bowing his bass and Alexander laying down some rim shots. Lalonde distorts his guitar throughout the whole song and it makes his solos sound dirty and hard to decipher between his notes.

For all you dessert fans “Pudding Time” is your track as it serves up a tasty dose of ass kicking rock and roll. Claypool’s complex thumb tapping bass and Lalonde’s playful guitar mix well with Alexander’s rock solid drumming. This is yet another track that leaves you scratching your head at the lyrics.

“Sathington Willoughby” is a 20 second ditty about a character that Claypool created and later uses again for lyrics on the Brown Album. Claypool is a strange fellow and if you don’t believe me listen to this track.

Rolling tom fills and searing guitar warm you up for Claypool’s bass and lyrics on “Speghetti Western”. It is inspired both 1960’s movies and laziness. I love the way they don’t let up on this album chugging forward with aggressive tracks left and right. This nothing short of an original track, listen and weep.

“Harold of the Rocks” is a fantastic track to help close out the album. It is inspired by a drug fiend acquaintance that the band had back in the early days while playing in the Bay Area. A funk and distortion guitar by LaLonde bounces in and out of soloing. Alexander drums with intent and drives the backbone of this track. Claypool bangs on his bass in a simple fashion and this song crunches along in a rocking fashion. At the 2:23 mark the band slows and gives way to Lalonde play one of his best solos of the album. It is ambient, articulate and demonstrates Lalonde’s ability to mix it up.

“To Defy” is the last track of the album (unless you get the remastered version where the covers of “Hello Skinny and Constantinople”) and is a 40 second snippet of the first track on this album.