Primus Antipop CD

1999 Primus release with special guests Tom Waits, Jim Martin, James Hetfield and many more. Features a bonus track.

Primus: Les Claypool (vocals, bass); Larry LaLonde (guitar); Brain (drums).
Additional personnel includes: Tom Waits (vocals, Mellotron); Martina Topley-Bird (vocals); Tom Morello, James Hetfield, Jim Martin (guitar).
Producers include: Tom Morello, Tom Waits, Stewart Copeland, Fred Durst, Matt Stone.
Personnel: Tom Waits (vocals, Mellotron); Les Claypool (vocals); James Hetfield, Jim Martin, Larry LaLonde, Tom Morello (guitar); Brian "Brain" Mantia (drums).
Audio Mixers: Derek Featherstone; Leff Lefferts; Frank Rinella; Les Claypool; Oz Fritz; Toby Wright.
Recording information: The Village Recorders, Los Ange.
Illustrator: Craig Howell.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Cage ?; Lena ?; Turk Black.
On the surface, all Primus albums seem to sound alike, especially to outsiders (read: anyone who either respects the group but doesn't get them, or the minority that actively hates them, particularly Les Claypool's demented comedy schtick). That's not really true, even if the same basic elements remain in place each time, no matter who is in the band. And Primus has never tried to shake things up as much as they do on their seventh album, AntiPop. Primus enlisted a dizzying array of collaborators -- Stewart Copeland, Tom Waits, James Hetfield, Tom Morello, Jim Martin, Matt Stone, Martina, and Fred Durst among them -- all in the purpose of challenging themselves to find different dimensions to its music. Some play or sing, some produce, but it's amazing how much each individual guest changes the tone of the music. It's not always for the best, but it keeps things fresh, if not necessarily coherent. Though there are a couple of good lyrics here, this is by and large an album about music; it would have been even better if it had been primarily an instrumental album, actually, since the vocals get in the way occasionally. By now, the popping bass, dissonance, and angular riffs don't seem like schtick, but the lyrics and singing do. Still, it's possible to get past those and hear AntiPop as one of Primus' most ambitious and best efforts. No, they're not always successful, but no two songs sound the same, and some collaborations are among the best things Primus has ever recorded. AntiPop is dense music that isn't afraid to be goofy or fall on its face -- and even if it's not to your particular taste, it's hard not to respect this. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Primus is sometimes considered a square peg in a round hole amongst the band's musical peers. Yet somehow, Les Claypool and company have always managed a perfect fit. On ANTIPOP, the band continues on its fearless musical journey. The impressive roster of guest artists is only part of the reason why this album is a must for music fans who walk their own paths.
Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello brings his percussive and unnerving guitar sound to "Electric Uncle Sam" and "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool." On the tongue-in-cheek "Sacred Cow," Les Claypool's distinctive slap-bass style shines. Guitarist Larry LaLonde is conservative yet brilliant in his moody, textural playing that is fitting without ever being flashy. "Eclectic Electric" brings together an unlikely pair of guests: Jim Martin and Metallica's James Hetfield, both of whom were in bands with the late Cliff Burton. Drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia, who returned to Primus for THE BROWN ALBUM, neatly fills the vacancy left by Tim Alexander, offering complex rhythms and jazz-influenced dynamics. ANTIPOP expresses the essence of a unique band embraced by people who don't mind a little pork in their soda.

Spin (11/99, p.188) - 6 out of 10 - "...[offers] Les Claypool's usual mix of surrealism, punditry, and inhalants....Bottom-heavy grooves, detuned guitars, and avant-metal riffs? Lose Claypool's yelp and this stuff is pop..."
Alternative Press (12/99, pp.110-1) - 4 out of 5 - "...This is the rockin'est Primus record in quite awhile....clearly Primus' catchall attempt to get back to being a rock band....If this is Primus getting back on track, good for them. It's about time."