The Desaturating Seven
by Primus
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: Sep 29, 2017
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. PopMatters
    Nov 15, 2017
    80
    The Desaturating Seven is completely focused on its adaptation of the source material, but musically it provides a jolt that reminds listeners of the band's '90s heyday.
  2. Record Collector
    Oct 12, 2017
    80
    Hints of psychedelia and bursts of frantic riffing flirt with a classic Primus sound over much of The Desaturating Seven.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Sep 29, 2017
    80
    The overall result is both sparse yet overflowing, in a fashion in keeping with the band’s reputation.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Sep 29, 2017
    75
    It gets its message across in surprisingly approachable prog-funk hooks, the kind that might convince even lapsed fans and skeptics to give them a second chance.
  6. Exclaim
    Sep 29, 2017
    70
    The Desaturating Seven finds Primus oddly compelling, as ever.
  7. Q Magazine
    Sep 29, 2017
    60
    As ever, the Californian threesome's pervasive wackiness is matched by a breathtaking sense of musicality punctuated by Claypool's manic basslines. [Nov 2017, p.112]
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  8. AllMusic
    Sep 29, 2017
    60
    The Desaturating Seven is unlikely to attract new fans. Typically eccentric, it's an interesting exercise, although nonessential outside the sphere of Primus/Claypool devotees.
  9. Consequence
    Oct 2, 2017
    58
    Conceptually big but musically slight, this return of the early ’90s Primus lineup promises a lot but delivers only fragments of what we know this band is capable of.
  10. Uncut
    Oct 23, 2017
    50
    Though the arrangements here are thinner and the longer pieces feel overstretches. [Dec 2017, p.30]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. jdalton13
    Oct 17, 2017
    8
    A nice blend of classic 90's Primus and their newer psychedelic style. Not a single song that I didn't enjoy, although some were much betterA nice blend of classic 90's Primus and their newer psychedelic style. Not a single song that I didn't enjoy, although some were much better and interesting than others. If you don't want to listen to the full thing, make sure you at least listen to The Scheme and The Storm. The original lineup is back with great performances throughout. Fantastic songwriting with Claypool's trademark humor, and a very interesting concept album idea in general. One of my favorites this year for sure.… Full Review »
  2. YT_Guyyy
    Oct 2, 2017
    5
    I was VERY hyped before I heard the album. I highly enjoyed Green Naugahyde, the Claypool Lennon Delirium stuff and the 'Primus and theI was VERY hyped before I heard the album. I highly enjoyed Green Naugahyde, the Claypool Lennon Delirium stuff and the 'Primus and the Chocolate Factory' covers album. Then we had the original line-up, a more early prog rock sound AND two good singles. Both the singles sounded rather goofy which seemed interesting.

    The Valley, however, immediately dropped my expectations for the rest of the album; it was just a weak half spoken-word song explaining kind of the concept of the album: the desaturating seven. Nothing interesting instrumentally. The Seven as I said before was very good. The Trek was OK. If it was longer or shorter it wouldn't really have had an effect on how good it is. The Scheme was also a good single. I like the guitar on it. The Dream wasn't very good, and neither was The Storm. They're both prog rock songs that go nowhere. I did enjoy The Ends?

    My problem with the album is it's boring. The songs don't really go anywhere and despite the before highly enjoyable goofiness we've come to expect the album's just OK.    … Full Review »
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