Review Summary: Green Naugahyde is a superb release, and shows Primus still have their chops. With creepy and odds twists and turns abound, Green Naugahyde is a fresh release that is a perfect introduction to Primus's return.
Primus was and is a conundrum of a band. From their weird antics, funky rhythms and jamming factors, Primus was all over the place. They made their mark in the 90s and were set up for success. After their longtime drummer Tim Alexander left, they began to slip in album quality. With Bryan Mantia behind the kit, their sound was altered a bit. Brown Album was a fine album, and Antipop was good but horribly flawed, this briefly ended their musical run. However 12 years later, Primus has returned with "Green Naugahyde,". This time around, Jay Lane is behind the drum kit and the album has offered yet another musical change. Anticipation as high as ever, Primus have reunited on disc for the first time since the EP "Animals Should Not Try To Act Like People" and 1999's nu-metal romp Antipop. But could this be the Primus we know to be so amazing? Truth told, Green Naugahyde sounds like the classic Primus album we've been waiting for.
So does Green Naugahyde sound like the old Primus? Yes and no. The proggy twangs are mostly present, and the chugging riffs of Antipop are gone, which is a good thing. However, the jam factor of Primus is mostly gone, and Green Naugahyde is a myriad of well-constructed tracks. Claypool returns with a splendor of infectious and wondrous bass lines. Every song features a splendid bass line that are both well-performed and well written. Larry has also returned with sliding and hypnotic guitar riffs, and while the virtuous and wacky solos are mostly out of the mix, his riffs relay classical LaLonde and are all great. Lane doesn't affect Primus's style at all, and he is actually a pretty great drummer. He goes from thumping drum beats to crazy all-over-the-place drum performances. The instrumentation on this record is truly wonderful, and relays the classical Primus groove we've always loved.
But the highest point to this record is the songwriting. All the tracks on this record are both highly memorable and spectacular. "Hennepin Crawler" is a perfect starter to the record, and shows that Primus still have their chops. "Last Salmon Man" is also a highly hypnotic song, with a groovy bassline and virtuous guitar riff. Of course, the album has it's short and funny tracks like "Eternal Consumption Engine," and "HOINFODAMAN,". Green Naugahyde even has the fun and funky tracks like "Lee Van Cleef" and "Tragedy's a'Comin,". But Primus even bring some new elements in, such as with track "Eyes of the Squirrel," which contain a bouncy bass-line and an extended jam at the end. "Moron TV" is also a creepy song that discussed unhealthy factors of television. Lyrically, Green Naugahyde is a goofy yet creepy record, with songs about social issues and other goofy *** like food and what-not. What is really standing out here is how suprinsingly dark and mature the record is. The darkness of the instrumentation stands out and makes Green Naugahyde a very unsettling release. Songs like "Jilly's on Smack" is a perfect example, musically and lyrically, how unsettling the record can sound. However, unsettling sounds aren't a rarity for the trio, with releases Pork Soda and Antipop both being very dark in nature. "Green Ranger" also continues the unsettling theme of the album, and the epic "Extinction Burst," shows the goofiness. However, Extinction Burst is a perfect closer, and wraps up everything very well. The song is, in my opinion, the best on the record, and the infectious sound and rhythms make a perfect track. When knowing every song is great, you can finally know Primus have gone back to their chops.
However, as great as the songwriting is, there are still some flaws. For one, Claypool's new vocal style is a bit dumb. Instead of the yodels and snarls, he sticks to low-sounding vocals and voice effects. The vocal effects don't really control the album or hurt it much, however it can dissappoint some older fans of the group who enjoy his yodels that defined his singing styles. Also, Green Naugahyde is littered with envelope filter and other effects on the bass. While the work in some songs, they are way overdone, and become exausting. The signature sound of Claypool's bass strings slapping against the strings aren't present as the effects have practically removed any signature sound Claypool's bass would relay. So while the bass-lines are good, the effects harm them. His performance is still great, however it's a bit dissappointing knowing the main contender to these flaws is the man who pretty much drives it all.
There's not much more to say about Green Naugahyde. While it misses some key-Primus elements, Green Naugahyde is still an incredibly solid and superb release. The album is full of twists, turns, creepiness and goofiness. The performances are all superb and bring back the grooviness and oddity of the old Primus feel. With some flaws being Claypool's new love for bass effects can hurt the album a bit, as it's taking a major key of Primus's sound and hurting it. The vocal effects aren't bad, and they don't really bother me, but I must admit the signature yodels of Claypool being missed is a small let-down. However, Green Naugahyde is a superb, fun and odd record that really shows Primus still have their classical feel and shows that Primus is still fresh and are finally back again.
Favorite Track: Extinction Burst
Least Favorite Track: Eternal Consumption Engine
