Pros: Some classic groovy electronica/dance tracks...
Cons: A bit dated and inconsistent...
The Bottom Line: A shimmering slice of life from 1991, Primal Scream's Screamadelica may not be representative of the band but it does manage to entertain.
lambchops's Full Review: Screamadelica by Primal Scream
For years the first thing I heard of when the words Primal Scream were mentioned was proto hair metal band Motley Crue and their hit song with that title. And as such, I associated the band Primal Scream with said movement…that is until I heard their music for the first time.
Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland Primal Scream is anything but metal. Their sound is a blend of alternative, dance, electronica, and pop. And though I thought upon my purchase of Screamadelica that I’d never heard them, I soon found out very differently. It seems that the band’s music has gotten attention even in Michigan and on local radio.
Primal Scream first came together in 1984 and throughout the eighties struggled to define themselves. They tried their hand in various genres ranging from hard rock to punk to classic rock. But when they stumbled on the burgeoning dance movement, Primal Scream headed down a completely different path…the path that would earn them a major label contract and the 1992 Mercury Music Prize for their third album Screamadelica. Previous to releasing that album, they were pretty much ignored. Their first two albums didn’t sell well and they just seemed uncomfortable in their own skins. Screamadelica changed it all…
Bobby Gillespie (former drummer for Jesus & Mary Chain) assembled the original lineup of Primal Scream. By the time they released Screamadelica in 1991, the band consisted of core members Gillespie (vocals, lyrics), Robert Young (guitar), and Andrew Innes (guitar) with addition vocal help from Denise Johnson (vocals). With the majority of the tracks to his credit, producer Andrew Weatherall (The Future Sound of London, Beth Orton, New Order) deserves much of the praise for this overall near-excellent hit. Also key to the success of Screamadelica were additional producers the Orb, Hypnotone, and Jimmy Miller.
Screamadelica is an unexpected, delicious dance dessert. It is above all other things stocked with entertainment value. Thought it is exceedingly important to note that on another level listeners will have no choice but to transport themselves through time to the early nineties to be able to fully appreciate the intensity and vigor of the tracks. But what really makes it something more than a forgettable dance album is that it doesn’t drone on or blend in with the work of other artists. Primal Scream interpreted dance as something wholly different…something that could appeal to the club set and to the rock set. This of course doesn’t mean that Screamadelica is without flaw. As mentioned it comes across a decade later as a bit dated…but at the time it was certainly revolutionary.
Eleven tracks in length, 1991’s Screamadelica never gets old or dries out. Primal Scream allotted themselves enough space to prove their talent across but not so much that they lost focus. What really makes this album something special are the songs…most everything from the beginning (Movin’ On Up) through the end (Shine Like Stars) is incredible. Few songs do anything to harm the overall tasty goodness of Screamadelica. Unfortunately one of the most troublesome tracks is the second Slip Inside the House in addition to overlong clunkers Damaged and I’m Comin’ Down. Another problem with Screamadelica is that it is severely lacking in consistency. It is preferable that a band is able to span many different genres and musical ideas. But Primal Scream takes this idea to an extreme. While the songs are all from the same act, it would be easy to confuse the band as being at least three different bands. Screamadelica would have been better had they put together a more cohesive album.
But let it be known that my criticism of Primal Scream is by no means a dismissal of their talent, only pointing out that albums perceived today as great may in a decade be nothing more than a thing of the past. Screamadelica is usually interesting enough to hold my attention it also is clearly from the early 1990’s. It makes me think of other at least somewhat similar albums from somewhat similar acts like Jesus Jones, Saint Etienne, Everything But the Girl, and Republica to name just a few.
What Screamadelica lacks in timelessness and in consistency, it makes up for with a few truly wonderful songs. Movin’ on Up is a wonderful combination of Achtung Baby-era U2 and dance beats. The combination of electric guitars, keyboards, a gospel choir, and drum machines works wonderfully. But what really makes the track in the end is Gillespie’s voice. He sings with confidence. He knows this is a good song.
Equally incredible is the atmospheric Higher Than The Sun. The production echoes hauntingly as the mid-tempo song takes its sweet time to become visible. Come Together is also well worth the eight minutes it takes to experience. The expected keyboards and Johnson’s crystalline vocals start the track off strongly. Soon a funky drum machine kicks in, but the nature of the track isn’t clear until a modest electric guitar and Gillespie’s voice finally enter the picture. The beats are clearly dance, but the song itself is actually more similar in sounds to Brit-pop.
Loaded and Inner Flight are also worth hearing. The former is a creative, funky, club-ready track while the latter features swirling synth noise that proves more entertaining than annoying. Screamadelica may not be perfect, but it is a peek into 1991 and what was happening in the world of music. As such, it’s a very necessary purchase for any dance, Brit-pop, trip-hop, or alt-pop music collection.
Primal Scream has since returned to their classic rock roots. Their experimentation on Screamadelica lasted for just one album. There have been ups and downs for the band. The ups have included albums 1997’s Vanishing Point and 2000’s XTRMNTR. Downs have included 1994’s Give Out But Don’t Give Up and last year’s Evil Heat.
It is a cruel irony that Primal Scream will be remembered most for an album that doesn’t by any means represent the band’s career.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Movin' on Up
02. Slip Inside This House
03. Don't Fight It, Feel It
04. Higher Than the Sun
05. Inner Flight
06. Come Together
07. Loaded
08. Damaged
09. I'm Comin' Down
10. Higher Than the Sun
11. Shine Like Stars
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