"Pork Soda" is the third studio album by the American rock band Primus. It was released on April 20, 1993 and is certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album features darker tones compared to previous Primus albums, potentially influenced by the band's previous touring experiences. Despite some mixed critical reviews due to its dark and intense nature, the album was a commercial success.
The album title was inspired by a conversation bassist and vocalist Les Claypool had with a San Francisco policeman. The policeman told Claypool that homeless were using pork soda cans to drink alcohol in public, which led Claypool to come up with the name. The album's darker tone is apparent in its surreal, disturbing lyrics, complex arrangements and aggressive playing.
"Pork Soda" includes several well-known Primus songs, including "My Name Is Mud", which was the band's first single. Other notable tracks include "Mr. Krinkle", "The Pressman", "DMV" among others. The album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band's highest charting album to date.
Though the album's subject matter is darker than their previous work, it still contains the band's trademark funk metal sound and Claypool's unique bass playing style, making it a significant release in Primus's discography.
