Review Summary: The bastards have arrived.
Frizzle Fry was a superb record overall, but it wasn't a mainstream success. While alternative rock was growing, Primus rested there, smiling cunningly as they constructed their next strange record. However, little did they know that this next record would launch them to mainstream success. With hits such as "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver" and "Tommy The Cat" (my personal favorite Primus track), Sailing The Seas Of Cheese would be Primus's breakout record, which would plunge them into the mainstream wave. Primus was widely accepted by the music world, with Tim pounding his drums, Larry sliding on his guitar, and Les beating his bass and yodeling the entire way.
The established marking of Primus's sound didn't really change, however it improved. The small improvements such as the better sound production, and the jam session like segments to their first record convinced the music world they were something very special indeed. This truly makes Sailing The Seas Of Cheese Primus's finest record they've done.
The album opens with the silly 1-minute song "Seas Of Cheese" that features Les ripping on a upright bass and yodeling about throwing up. It sets the mood perfectly, this will be a strange record. It plunges into the hard-hitting groove of "Here Come The Bastards", which while the t/t doesn't really go into the song well, the song works. It's good to know that immediately when hearing it, it's been noted that Primus hasn't lost their attributes. Les is still an amazing and intricate bassist, with him slapping the strings and ripping all the way, as he constructs some funky and groovy bass lines that make him truly a remarkable bass player. Les also hasn't lost his vocal style, with him becoming a bit more diverse with his vocals, to the clear singing in songs like "Sgt. Baker" or "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver" or the mumbling rants such as in "Tommy The Cat". Larry also contributes well and has constructed some better guitar parts than before. While not as noteworthy as Les, Larry still is an amazing guitarist who helps the sound of the band immensely. Tim also hasn't lost anything, and continues to hold the songs together like glue, with the force he hits and out-there drum parts contribute to the band's sound.
But really, it's noteworthy that the songwriting has improved immensely. "Sgt. Baker" and
"American Life" are both bitchin' tunes that show Primus can truly construct awesome songs, rather than have a huge jam session in the middle. Seas Of Cheese surely isn't as heavy or thrash-y as Frizzle Fry, but it doesn't need to be. The songs are perfectly structured for radio play, and overall make Seas of Cheese and easier listen. The singles "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver", "Tommy The Cat", and "Those Damned Blue-Collared Tweekers" are all awesome tunes, and are structured nicely for radio attention. But even the non-singles like the dark "Eleven", the bouncy "Is It Luck?" and the lengthy "Fish On" all prove to be just as good. Primus have taken their quirky vibe and have transformed into a more friendly sound, the oddity is there, but shrunk a bit. The main real issue is the songs sometimes go down the same line in a wild attempt to be a bit more easy to listen to, but it doesn't really detract from any of the song's values. But that is also what's so good about it. The fact that Primus have taken the complete oddity and brilliant songwriting and turned them into a bit friendlier tracks, without losing any of their real abilities, is truly unbelievable. While not as heavy and not as quirky, Seas of Cheese still retains all of the odd vibes and funky rhythms Frizzle Fry showed off, and formed an excellent group of tracks.
There just isn't a lot of negativity to write about this record. I'd say the real injury is that there is a lot more filler. The opening track is a humorous intro, Grandad's Little Ditty is a dumb one, with sounds of a shower running and an old man singing, Sathington Waltz being a pretty cool instrumental that does offer some nice sounds, and the ending way-too-long reprise of Here Come The Bastards. Fillers usually are pretty annoying, and they are pretty irritating on this one, but they add to the oddity the band loves to show. The other issue is that, in an attempt to become more radio friendly, the songs begin to sound similar. They all have their own different feels, but they follow the same formula. But it doesn't really hurt any of the song's values, so in the end, the good outweighs the bad, even if there is so little negatives to write for the record.
Sailing The Seas Of Cheese is no Frizzle Fry. In fact, it's nearly completely different. But this album isn't an announcement that the band is selling out. Sure, they got spun on MTV and the radio, but they keep their oddity alive to impress fans and new listeners. Primus haven't changed, with their bizarre vibe and quirky song's are all still alive. It fixes issues that Frizzle Fry had, and is overall Primus's best record. Not a single crum of their past sound has been destroyed, but condensed. Sailing The Seas Of Cheese is a record full of stellar songwriting, astonishing performances; Primus has reached their zenith with their trail of experimentally funky tunes. In the end, Seas of Cheese is an amazing album that shows what Primus can do, and sets up their sound and quirky tunes that will live throughout the ages. Primus has dove right into the wave of the mainstream, and it's so goddamn good.
Favorite Track: Tommy The Cat
Least Favorite Track: Is It Luck?
