Reviews

In many ways, it is not a stretch to label Primal Scream the comic book characters of the music industry.  For most of their existence they have displayed the sort of Two-face, schizophrenic nature that even Freud would have a hard time understanding and nurse Ratchet would have a hard time controlling.  At times rock & roll, at others electronic dance fusion, and yet at other times, country rock.  It seems with every passing album, Primal Scream is trying to reinvent itself, as they go to every extreme to catch the other end of the continuum.  For all we know, a Latin album might be forthcoming sometime in the next few years. 

Reason number two is their hero status as the saviors who erased the massive gap that once rested gently between rock and dance, thus paving the way for many current bands such as The Killers. 

Their newest record, their 9th studio LP, Riot City Blues, is a carefully blended mix of pure rock & roll with a dash of country rock and pinch of pop, thus creating a delectable sense of rockabilly.  It is easy and enjoyable to listen to, both catchy and intoxicating.  Yet there is something else that cannot be described easily, a sort of gentle sense of awareness and serenity that exists on the deeper levels of many of the songs, while other songs it is sitting patiently at the surface.  Either way, it feels good.

However, two sides usually divide fans of Primal Scream: the rock side and the electronica side.  Those who loved Give Out But Don’t Give Up will definitely enjoy this album.  However, those who did not like Give Out… and took more of a liking to Screamadelica, XTRMNTR, and Evil Heat will probably hate this record.

The simple truth is this: Riot City Blues rocks from top to bottom, beginning to end.  Also, it is not only a great personal choice, but also the perfect bar record, as nearly every track is sure to create hand claps and sing-alongs in nearly every drunken fog.  Riot City Blues is destined to cause a joyous disturbance in every automobile, home stereo, and smoky bar across the country.