The Desaturating Seven | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 29, 2017 | |||
Recorded | Rancho Relaxo, CA | |||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 34:38 | |||
Label | ATO Records, Prawn Song Records | |||
Producer | Les Claypool | |||
Primus chronology | ||||
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The Desaturating Seven is the ninth studio album by American rock group Primus, released on September 29, 2017. It is the band's first album of original material since 2011's Green Naugahyde , and is the first LP featuring original material written with drummer Tim Alexander since 1995's Tales from the Punchbowl .
The Desaturating Seven is a concept album based on the 1978 children's book The Rainbow Goblins, written by Italian author of children's books, Ul de Rico. Band leader Les Claypool used to read the book to his children when they were younger, and was fascinated and inspired by the book's vibrant artwork and use of colors. Claypool always felt the book's story would make a fascinating musical project, and eventually approached his fellow band members about recording original music based on the story of the book. This is the second Primus album based on a movie or book, the first being the 2014 album, Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble , and is their shortest full-length album to date. [1]
The album has been noted as a stylistic change for Primus, exploring more traditional aspects of progressive rock than their previous releases. [2] The influence of King Crimson, especially the album Discipline (1981), is evident. [3] [4]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 68/100 [5] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The A.V. Club | B [6] |
Consequence of Sound | C+ [3] |
Exclaim! | 7/10 [4] |
PopMatters | 8/10 [7] |
The Desaturating Seven garnered generally positive reviews. The album received an average score of 68/100 from 9 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [5] AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung said that the album is "typically eccentric, it's an interesting exercise, although nonessential outside the sphere of Primus/Claypool devotees." [2] Nina Corcoran of The A.V. Club had a positive impression, noting the album's digestibility and admirable message. [6] Consequence of Sound's Brice Ezell criticizes the album's length, saying that it "errs a bit too much on the side of brevity, resulting in a record that feels like an EP that has overstayed its welcome." [3] Alan Ranta of Exclaim! said that The Desaturating Seven "demonstrate[s] songcraft beyond the great majority of [Primus'] catalogue." [4] PopMatters' Chris Conaton also lamented the album's shortness, but he praised its music, calling it "the tightest, most focused album of Primus' career." [7]
All tracks written by Les Claypool. [8]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "The Valley" | 4:43 |
2. | "The Seven" | 3:08 |
3. | "The Trek" | 7:50 |
4. | "The Scheme" | 2:50 |
5. | "The Dream" | 6:36 |
6. | "The Storm" | 7:47 |
7. | "The Ends?" | 1:44 |
Total length: | 34:48 |
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA) [9] | 97 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [10] | 105 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [11] | 136 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [12] | 59 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [13] | 65 |
US Billboard 200 [14] | 26 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [15] | 2 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [16] | 3 |
Leslie Edward Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and author. He is best known as the founder, lead singer, bassist, primary songwriter of the band Primus since its formation in 1984. Frequently considered one of the best bassists of all time, his playing style is well known for mixing tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends, and slapping.
Primus is an American rock band formed in El Sobrante, California in 1984. The band is currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde, and drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander. Primus originally formed in 1984 with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth, later joined by drummer Jay Lane, though the latter two departed the band at the beginning of 1989, and were replaced by LaLonde and Alexander respectively.
Sailing the Seas of Cheese is the second studio album and major-label debut by the American rock band Primus, released on May 14, 1991. It spawned three singles: "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver", "Tommy the Cat", and "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers". "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" appeared in the video games ATV Offroad Fury, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Rock Band 3, The Bigs, and as downloadable content for Rocksmith 2014, while "American Life" appears in Tony Hawk's Project 8.
Tales from the Punchbowl is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Primus, released on June 6, 1995. It was the band's last album with Tim Alexander before he rejoined Primus seven years later, and again in September 2013. It was certified Gold on July 20, 1995.
Count Ul de Rico, AKA Ulderico Conte Gropplero di Troppenburg, is an Italian-born artist and author of illustrated children's books, most notably The Rainbow Goblins (1978) and its sequel The White Goblin. (1996) He was also a major artistic contributor to the children's fantasy film The NeverEnding Story (1984), based on the book of the same name by Michael Ende.
This is a discography for the American rock band Primus. For individual songs, see the category listing.
Green Naugahyde is the seventh studio album by rock group Primus, released by ATO Records and Prawn Song on September 12, 2011 in Europe, and on September 13, 2011 in the United States. It is the band's first album since 1999's Antipop, and features their first new material since 2003's Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People EP. It is the only Primus album to feature Jay Lane on drums, as he left the band in September 2013.
Audio, Video, Disco is the second studio album by the French electronic music duo Justice, released on 24 October 2011 by Ed Banger Records, Because Music and Elektra Records. Justice member Xavier de Rosnay has said of Audio, Video, Disco's musical style: "We wanted to create something very laid back and a bit countryside-ish. You know, daytime music. [...] What we wanted to do was keep the beats, but make it more soft. One of the challenges of this record was to make it feel emotionally heavy without being aggressive. Like being soft and violent at the same time. The texture of the new record is really soft." The album also features more collaborations than on the band's debut album †.
Reid Laurence "Larry" LaLonde, also known as Ler LaLonde, is an American musician best known as the guitarist for Primus, a position that he has served since 1989, where he is known for his experimental accompaniment to the bass playing of bandmate Les Claypool. Previously, he played guitar for the groups Possessed, Blind Illusion, No Forcefield, and the Frank Zappa tribute band "Caca". He also has collaborated more recently with artists such as Serj Tankian and Tom Waits.
Ataraxia/Taraxis is a 2012 extended play (EP) by American post-metal band Pelican, released through Southern Lord Records on April 10, 2012. Ataraxia/Taraxis was Pelican's final release to include founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec.
Forever Becoming is the fifth studio album by American post-metal band Pelican. The album was released on October 15, 2013 through Southern Lord Records. Forever Becoming marks Pelican's first release to not include founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec.
Memorial is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Russian Circles. The album was released on October 29, 2013 through Sargent House. Memorial was produced by Brandon Curtis, who also produced the band's two previous albums, Empros (2011) and Geneva (2009).
Four Foot Shack is the debut album of Duo de Twang, a country music duo formed by Primus bassist and vocalist Les Claypool and M.I.R.V. guitarist Bryan Kehoe. This album contains one original song and fourteen cover songs. It was released on February 4, 2014 by ATO Records.
Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is the eighth studio album by American rock group Primus. The album is a re-imagining of the soundtrack of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The album was released on October 21, 2014. It is the first full-length album with Tim "Herb" Alexander since 1995's Tales from the Punchbowl.
Monolith of Phobos is the debut studio album by The Claypool Lennon Delirium, consisting of American multi-instrumentalists Sean Lennon and Primus's Les Claypool, released on June 3, 2016.
Guidance is the sixth studio album by American instrumental rock band Russian Circles, released on August 5, 2016 through Sargent House. The album was recorded and produced at GodCity Studio by Kurt Ballou.
Heartless is the third full-length album by American doom metal band Pallbearer. It was released on March 24, 2017 through Profound Lore Records.
Nevermen is the debut studio album by Nevermen. It was released via Ipecac Recordings and Lex Records on January 29, 2016. It debuted at number 9 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. The artwork was designed by Keith Tyson. A music video was created for "Mr Mistake".
South of Reality is the second studio album by The Claypool Lennon Delirium consisting of American multi-instrumentalists Sean Lennon and Primus' Les Claypool, released on February 22, 2019.
Conspiranoid is a three-track EP by the American rock band Primus, released on April 22, 2022. Released on vinyl and CD, this EP includes the band's longest song to date "Conspiranoia", clocking in at eleven minutes; it was released as a single on April 5, 2022, alongside a music video created by Cage Claypool, the son of Primus vocalist and bassist Les Claypool.