Primal Scream

Riot City Blues

Primal Scream have a history of turning expectations on their heads. With Screamadelica in 1991 they released a genre-busting album that was to become the bridging album between rock and roll and the ecstasy generation. They then returned with Give Out but Don't Give Up and sounded like a Rolling Stones tribute band. In 2000, they released XTRMNTR which sounded like they had gotten bored of rock and roll and wanted to shout slogans over electronic beats and police sirens. This continued with their last album Evil Heat. Now the band have returned with Riot City Blues an album of rock and roll. Pure, fun, unpretentious, unadulterated, liberated rock and roll.

For many used to Bobby Gillespie's political stance and dark, socially aware songs, (see ‘Swastika Eyes' and ‘Kill All Hippies' from XTRMNTR) they will be disappointed at the seemingly empty lyrics and songs on Riot City Blues. What I have to say to them may seem controversial and downright bizarre in the 21st century but this is so far from the case. Sometimes realising that fun can be as liberating as a political idea is just as important. This is something that Bobby Gillespie has never shied away from. In many respects in these troubled political times Riot City Blues is a great antidote to this and an almost punkish statement. OK, OK, I accept that I may be exaggerating slightly here but these sentiments should not be forgotten in these workaholic times where all it takes to be politically active is to open a blogger account.

Highlights on the record include the first single ‘Country Girl' which is just so unbelievably catchy. You will find yourself humming it all the way to work and back again. The song is about a girl who likes to live life to the fullest and get obliterated. That is all you need to know. The pounding guitar/bass/drums is nicely supplemented by a mandolin at the end, just to prove that not all the Scream's subtlety has been lost on Riot City Blues. ‘Country Girl' ending as it does with the idea that she's got to "keep on keepin' on" in her ways is also a great statement and a nice way to complete this song which is so full of joy and unadulterated rock and roll happiness.

‘Nitty Gritty' is probably the most Stonesque of songs on the album and it is the song which most resembles their material from Give Out but Don't Give Up. The backing vocals and funky guitar riffs work well. This again shows us that the boys haven't lost the touch for a good-old boogie. ‘Dolls (Sweet Rock and Roll)' also falls into this category and can compete with ‘Nitty Gritty' in this song category. I fact, this song contains a series of lyrics that seem to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of this record:

"Don't want your diamonds,
Don't want your gold
Don't want your love
I don't want your soul
Come on babe, let's have a good time"

Other highlights include the air-guitar laced track, ‘Suicide Sally and Johnny Guitar' which sounds like it was made only to produce a raging mosh pit at concerts. Meanwhile, the gentler, more countrified ‘Hell's comin' down' mixes mandolin, fiddle, and bar piano to great effect. Could this be the next musical direction of Primal Scream? Who knows, they certainly do have the knack for this kind of song, that's for sure. If there is one musical criticism of the album, it is that final song, ‘Sometimes I feel so Lonely' feels a little out of place. The slow paced song seems like the band decided that they had to put it on the album to temper the other nine rollocking songs.

Overall, this is an album that musical snobs and purists will detest. This shows that the band have no grand musical direction and indeed can even be viewed as stepping backwards to return to their rock and roll roots. While the aforementioned musos may well mourn the loss of a political edge to the music and the drugged aspects to the music, they will miss out on the positive aspects to this new direction for the band. Perhaps these people would be happier sticking to Radiohead.

The rock and roll that the band presents is liberating and fun. Ultimately, it is the record that the band wanted to put out. As far as considering the record on its own musical merits, then it is a stomping rock and roll record, perfect for a party and it very much captures the live spirit of a Primal Scream concert much better than any of their previous records. It also easily stands up to comparison with other recent rock and roll records. This is a record that reminds the music industry of its roots and ultimately of what is important: the rock and roll. Or, more precisely, as Gillespie sings, the "Sweet, sweet rock n roll".

James Ketchell

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