Tales from the Punchbowl

Template:More citations needed Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: June 6, 1995 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Pork Soda1993Brown Album1997studioTales from the PunchbowlPrimus Tales From the Punchbowl.jpgPrimusJune 6, 1995November 1994 – March 1995Rancho Relaxo, Sebastopol, CaliforniaTemplate:Hlist54:05Interscope, Prawn SongPrimusx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Tales from the Punchbowl is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Primus, released on June 6, 1995.<ref name="release date">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was the band's last album with Tim Alexander before he rejoined Primus seven years later, and again in September 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was certified Gold on July 20, 1995.<ref name="RIAA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Enhanced CD reissue

In 1996 the album was re-released as an Enhanced CD for Macintosh and Windows. As printed on the back inlay for this version, "Combining high end production values, 3-D graphics, spectacular effects and loads of insanely cool stuff, the 'Tales From The Punchbowl' Enhanced CD, played on a CD-ROM drive, sends the viewer through a surreal virtual experience that features the complete album in CD sound quality (which you can hear on a stereo CD player as well)." Players must "navigate from the helm of Captain Shiner's ferryboat through an enchanted liquid atmosphere to many strange and mysterious islands. Many experiences are to be had, all in a rose-colored waterworld filled with visuals reminiscent of Dalí and Bosch." Printed on the actual CD is a ship helm instead of the large image of Captain Shiner's face that appeared on the original, more common pressing.

The vinyl cover shows a picture of the band members dressed up as penguins standing on an iceberg. The same picture comes with the CD version, on the first page of the booklet at the front.

Reception and awards

Template:Music ratings In his review for AllMusic, Daniel Gioffre describes the album as "unabashed prog rock ... which even the thick dollops of irony that the band seeks to impart to its compositions are unable to mask completely." He also says that "the high-energy angular rhythms that Primus is known and loved for are as present as ever; they are just pulled off with greater zest and looser precision (if there is such a thing) than they have in the past", concluding that "Tales From the Punchbowl is one of Primus' finer discs."<ref name="Allmusic review" /> Robert Christgau describes the album simply as "modern teen horrors simplified—and funkified."<ref name="Christgau review" /> Chuck Eddy of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B and said, "Hearing Les Claypool thwap oppressive bass lines while rapping like a congested auctioneer isn't nearly as entertaining as watching this trio fish for bass on MTV."<ref name="EW review" />

Tales from the Punchbowl was nearly as successful as Pork Soda; the former peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200, making it Primus' second-highest chart position.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It is also the band's last studio album to be certified gold by the RIAA.<ref name="RIAA" />

Personnel

• Les Claypool – vocals, bass, 6-string bass, bass banjo, upright bass, fretless bass
• Larry LaLonde – guitar, 6-string banjo
• Tim Alexander – drums, drum samples

Charts

Weekly charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Chart (1995)	Peak position

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)	Position
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	125

Singles

Single	Chart	Position
"Wynona's Big Brown Beaver"	Modern Rock Tracks	12
	Mainstream Rock Tracks	23