Excellent
Lovblad | Geneva, Switzerland | 08/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whiel primal scream have been able to make the best and some of the more strange records in the last 15-20 years, this is for once a very strong one. Indeed, while almost all previous efforts contained some extremely strong tracks with some that were less extraordinary, this si a much more even effort. The sound is also very different: this time it is more poppy while the music itself is a mixture of their more electronic music à la XTRMNTR and the rock of Don't Give...This succeeds in creating their strongest effort to date and it is up there with their best two records in my opinion, anmely XTRMNTR and Don't Give as well as parts of Scteamadelica (I know most people think it is a work of genius but it has dated badly and I did not like it that much back then. This one is really a keeper and could be the one that brings them really into the big leagus. Plus they have Lovefoxxx from CSS as well as Lykke Li on board. Also if you judge by his latest interview, Bobby G seems to be on top of things more than ever and I think these tracks live should be splendid."
Going Uptown!!
Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 09/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For their 9th studio album "Beautiful future", UK alt rockers Primal Scream hire Björn Yttling (of Peter Björn and John) and Paul Epworth (Bloc Party) to handle production. The result is a poppy sounding affair, though still pandering to their passion for jagged and dark undertones.
Opening is the bouncy sunny sounding title track with a lively piano riff, hand claps and rousing chorus. "Can't go back" is another rousing rocker with nice hooted backing harmionies in the chorus. "Beautiful summer" is a beautiful psychedelic sounding dirge with chiming guitars and trippy effects.
The extremely catchy "Uptown" is a groovy dance rocker with a gently caressing vocal and a beat nicked from Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". Superb! The stomping Blues-tinged "Zombie man" (with a rousing chorus) sounds like a more subdued sibling of "Country girl" from "Riot city blues". The whispered vocals and gently plodding beats give an eerie feel to "Suicide bomb" with snarling guitars adding to the dread.
Folk songstress Linda Thompson" lends her vocals to the gentle and dreamy ballad "Over and over" (a Fleetwood Mac cover). "Necro Hex Blues" features Josh Homme of Queens of the Stoneage and it's an explosive burst of electro rock. Even more electro is "I love to hurt (you love to be hurt)" which features the airy vocals of Lovefoxxx from Brazilian Electro/Punk collective CSS.
An enjoyable sonic experience!"
Playground Scream
Bryan M. MCNEELY | Fort Wayne, Indiana United States | 09/04/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"At one time, this group was angry, bitter and had set its sights on America as being the biggest target for their sonic onslaught. Boy, how times have changed.
On "Beautiful Future," the group has abandoned the loud, abrasive brilliance of "XTRMNTR" and dirtiness of "Evil Heat" and instead gone a little more "pop." Obviously, the band is in a downturn and has been since the turn of the century, though there is something very appealing about hearing the band in a more standardized style of presentation and effect. Each track is easily listenable, in some cases, even the more slow and sensitive (ha!) songs don't come across as being too out-of-leftfield. They proved they can handle chilled-out moments ("Keep Your Dreams" from "XTRMNTR" is a good example) and have done so even more with this album.
I much prefer the Scream when they are giving the stereo speakers a workout, but "Beautiful Future" is a solid release, a much more fitting jaunt than "Riot City Blues" or even the aforementioned "Evil Heat," which was akin to a next-morning hangover after a long night of partying. Good album, just not extraordinary. ..or too far from what the London Suede have already done years ago."
