SKIP: Primus, “Green Naugahyde”

Back in the ’90s, Primus was one of the freshest — OK, oddest — heavy rock groups around, and even today there are few bassists who can match Les Claypool’s bizarre brand of subsonic virtuosity. Unfortunately, the act has been getting stale since Fred Durst got his hands on “Antipop” in 1999, their last full album until now. That’s not to say “Green Naugahyde” is as uninspired as “Antipop,” but even with original drummer Jay Lane back on the kit, they aren’t able to rekindle that old odd magic. There are plenty of stunning solos, courtesy of guitarist Ler LaLonde, but that’s the only relief you’ll get from Claypool’s redneck Residents rehash. The album’s opener, “Prelude to a Crawl,” is appropriate. Choose to play this album, and you’re in for 50 minutes of slow-moving circus metal. Maybe that’s your thing. I’m skipping.

WATCH Primus perform “Green Ranger” live at Bonnaroo.