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Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: The tribute to the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory from the San Francisco Bay Area-based band sees the return of Tim Alexander on drums.
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Top Track

Pure Imagination
Come with me and you'll be In a world of pure imagination Take a look and you'll see Into your imagination We'll begin with a spin Trav'ling in the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Oct 23, 2014
    80
    This is a perfect match of old school talent and righteous inspiration.
  2. Nov 10, 2014
    70
    Taken for what it is, Primus & The Chocolate Factory is a fantastically ridiculous release that should please fans of either [Primus or Willy Wonka].
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 16, 2014
    70
    Primus are an acquired taste, but a taste worth acquiring. [Dec 2014, p.107]
  4. Uncut
    Nov 11, 2014
    60
    It's all a little too eagerly oddball at times, but generally avoids the trapdoor marked Novelty. [Dec 2014, p.78]
  5. Kerrang!
    Dec 16, 2014
    60
    While this retains their characteristic strangeness, you could argue it isn't the best use of their considerable talents. [8 Nov 2014, p.54]
  6. Nov 12, 2014
    60
    He and Alexander have also stayed mostly away from the slap-bass and funk drums that made Primus’ early hits so compelling, so don’t expect the usual extravagant workouts. Instead, this album is best viewed as the point where Claypool’s interests in film and music meet at a sort of psychedelic flashpoint.
  7. Magnet
    Nov 5, 2014
    30
    Hideously tedious sounds of the "definitive" Primus lineup drowning in a soupy melange of chocolate and cutesy pretense gone way, way wrong. [No. 114, p.61]

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Jan 26, 2017
    9
    What you would expect from Primus covering a classic musical score. Some complain about the repetition of the Oompa Loompa songs, this isWhat you would expect from Primus covering a classic musical score. Some complain about the repetition of the Oompa Loompa songs, this is similar to the film, and connects the album's songs together as the musical soundtrack. In addition, each one varies slightly, and the lyrics are different. Some may say it is a novelty, I call it a loving tribute to the film. Expand
  2. Nov 5, 2014
    8
    Les Claypool is a genius for ever thinking this up. Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is a reconstructed version of theLes Claypool is a genius for ever thinking this up. Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble is a reconstructed version of the soundtrack from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, a soundtrack that many people young and old know. The music is weird as it should be and Claypool's vocals are spot on for this album. Its too bad they couldn't have released a short film as a companion to the album or maybe there will be a remake of the film that would feature Primus' soundtrack. I'd sure be up for it. Expand
  3. Apr 20, 2016
    7
    Replicating the Chocolate Factory soundtrack by utilising Primus' trademark funk rock sound is certainly an interesting idea. There's nothingReplicating the Chocolate Factory soundtrack by utilising Primus' trademark funk rock sound is certainly an interesting idea. There's nothing wrong with the execution from where I'm standing, but I feel as though it's lacking that hard-rocking punch that Primus albums usually contain. Returning drummer Tim Alexander is thankfully given plenty of opportunity to show off. The main issue here is that if you're not as big a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as you are of Primus, this album doesn't have quite as much to offer as usual Primus releases. Expand