Sausage-Riddles are abound tonight. (1994)
The band Primus’s (les Claypool’s band) first album 'suck on this' was released in 1989, with Larry La Londe on Guitar and Tim ‘Herb’ Alexander on drums. But When Primus first formed (under the name primate) the line-up was of Claypool on bass and Todd Huth on guitar with just a drum machine for rhythm. After being told by the lawyer of ‘The Primates’ to change their name they decided to bring in a drummer to the mix. But that didn’t work out. The third drummer to join them was Jay Lane and thus the first incarnation of Primus was born.
Todd Huth and Jay Lane both quit Primus Before the first album, but in 1993 Les Claypool Got together with them again to record a one off album. The result was sausage!
1-Prelude to fear- A great opening track, starts off with a sinister bass line and a really weird drum beat before launching off into a heavier chorus. The guitar part sounds really hard to play but it is played so smoothly that it just rolls off the bass line to make a sumptuous mix of a song. 5/5
2- Riddles are abound tonight- Strange intro. Another great song like the previous track it creates a really creepy atmosphere the lyrics in this song are really good too. They do another version of this song on ‘Live frogs set one’ the first ‘fearless flying frog brigade’ album, which is a lot better with an amazing sax solo on it. 4/5
3- Here’s to the man- The song starts off with a the bass line once then the rest of the band join in making it sound like a huge musical earthquake especially the guitar which has a heavy distortion and wails on, then it stops and goes quieter so it’s just a drum and bass. Then the track continues like this with a quiet bit with less quietly singing the lyrics before launching into the explosion. 4/5
4- Shattering song- this song is ok, it has one bass line which sorta builds up throughout the whole track. The guitar playing although good doesn’t seem necessary. There’s a great bass part around halfway through the song. Not one of my favourites though. 2/5
5- Toyz 1988- I’m guessing this is the original version of ‘the toys go winding down’ (On the Primus album ‘Frizzle Fry’). Could be a completely different song if not for the lyrics. Interesting version although the Frizzle Fry one is better. 3/5
6- Temporary Phase- A really fonkeh track! Cool guitar licks and strange lyrics. Real nice guitar soloing towards the end. A great track. 4/5
7- Girls for single men- Probably my favourite off the album. One of the best bass lines ever! There aren’t really any lyrics in this song except for the hypnotic chorus of ‘Girls for single men!!!’. The song has random voices throughout with guys either advertising girls for single men or single men trying to buy one! There’s also a small farting solo at the beginning, cool huh? 5/5
8- Recreating- Brilliant guitar playing again with cool little licks switching between heavy distortion and a clean countryish sound. 4/5
9- Caution Should Be Used While Driving A Motor Vehicle Or Operating Machinery- The most upbeat bass line on the album which is counteracted with the screeching guitar sound. The bass line and drum beat stay the same throughout the track while the guitar solos away whilst machine sounds drift through the track. A good way to end the album. 4/5
The whole album has a really well built atmosphere from the first track which continues throughout the whole album. Being an absolute Primus Freak I found it really easy to get into but a lot of people probably wouldn’t like it and that’s understandable, but you should definitely try and listen to it if you can (its pretty hard to find). If you’re already a Primus fan you’ll probably like it. Les Claypool sings a lot quieter and like a creepier less cartoonish voice to Primus.
All in all 4 outta 5 coconuts. A great album but not for everyone.
