Primus

In the '90s, the music industry went gaga for both "unplugged" and "tribute albums" of veteran rock acts. Come the early 21st century, quite a few longtime bands embraced a new craze -- performing one of their classic albums in its entirety. Primus was one such band, reuniting with drummer Tim Alexander and, during 2003 and 2004, performing a pair of albums from front to back -- 1990's Frizzle Fry and 1991's Sailing the Seas of Cheese. For the trio's first-ever live DVD, Hallucino-Genetics Live 2004 (recorded live at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom), fans are treated to the complete airing of Frizzle, as well as several other nuggets. Despite a lengthy absence from the concert trail, Primus is as wild 'n' wacky as ever, and not afraid to veer off into an extended jam on a moment's notice. The over two-and-a-half-hour set (!) opens up with several random selections -- including such underrated obscurities as "Sgt. Baker" and "American Life" from Cheese, as well as two of their best-known tracks, "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "My Name Is Mud." Then, finally, the DVD delivers the meat and potatoes of the set. The Frizzle Fry portion certainly doesn't disappoint -- who ever thought such nuggets as "To Defy the Laws of Tradition," "Too Many Puppies," "Mr. Knowitall," "Frizzle Fry," and "Spegetti Western" would be performed in the same set again? While sonically the set is top-notch, the camera work could have been better -- although there are loads of close-ups of singer/bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Larry LaLonde, few front shots of drummer Alexander (most are from the back) are included, so there is no clear view of what he's playing most of the time. But these complaints are small; Hallucino-Genetics Live 2004 is a faithful representation of the group's reunion tour. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide