Search - Primal Scream :: Evil Heat

EV IL GENIUS

J. Brady | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States | 02/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Astonishing. Simply amazing. The guest players on this cd range from the obvious ( the Reid brother from Jesus and Mary Chain, for whom Bobbie Gillespie used to drum, singing lead on one cut )to the inspired ( Robert Plant's blistering harmonica wailing on another) to the down right bizarre ( guest vocalist Kate Moss has a serviceable voice with a limited range but somehow it works). Most track is radically different from the one that preceeded it, and the one that follows it, actually. This one is all over the place, but it hangs together very well. The full time addition of Kevin Shields on guitar was a smart move, as he adds not only incredible guitar textures and sounds to the mix, but offers a lot in the way of overall sound and production."

Manchester style fuzzy beats for the 21st century

H. L. Thomas | Athens, GA | 03/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Primal Scream remains one of the most enduring and changing bands of the early Manchester sound. CD highlights (for me): Autobahn 66, Detroit Rise, Skull X, MIss Lucifer. Their emphasis on the dark beats and fuzzy guitars comes even more to light with the addition of Kevin Sheilds (My BLoody Valentine) and Jim Reid (Jesus and Mary Chain). The cd holds together quite well and the sense of pounding, danceable rock-etronica is what makes Primal Scream so great. When they are not channeling heroin era Rolling Stones and American 70's funk or Ride with fuzz boxes they are being purely P. Scream and that's a great thing. This cd has a continuity and a pace that lifts the dreamy side of My Bloody Valentine into a kind of psychedelic dance tract party disc while holding as both atmospheric and dance. What a blast! And this is what has always made Primal Scream such a great ensemble, that they can translate the Rolling Stones with gospel grooves to Chemical Brothers with soul. This is the way that rock and roll should evolve, and as rock and roll Evil Heat works as car music, work music and party music. This is a must have to any collection of the British dark wave and Manchester sound.

And the DVD? Enjoyable and lively. Nice to see closeups of all the guitar work. Kowalski is OK but studio version is much better, other than that it's what you would expect of them live. I just wish that there was a bit more charisma or that unknown something that would have been able or is able to push them over the top. This is one of the best Brit bands along the lines of Ride, Rolling Stones, Stone Roses, Cure (early work), Chameleons UK, My Bloody Valentine (without the daydreaming), Happy Mondays (on a good day), Electronic, the Echo And The Bunneymen side project Electrafixion, Johnny Marr Band, even some Stooges and MC5!, Tin Machine, then onto parts of Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method and Prodigy. So many bands, so much music, and Primal Scream touches on them all with the wild abandon of a music fan and a band in love with music. What more could you want from a group that loves music and loves to make music? Just wish that they could capture more attention in the US."

A Sexy Rush of Dance, Decadence, and R&R

Erik Rust | Lexington, KY | 10/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while, a new album comes along that perfectly nails the spirit of rock n' roll without bowing to the age-old guitar, bass, drums formula. Well, this my friends, is one of those. "Evil Heat" is chalk full of electronics, but shakes and grooves along like a futuristic version of the Rolling Stones with contributors from all across the musical spectrum.



With glitter and sas, Primal Scream delivers a sonically blistering testament to living and partying hard, only to wake up, shake it off, and start all over again. "Miss Lucifer" is trancey and pulsing and sounds almost as dangerous as anything The Jesus and Mary Chain ever recorded. Speaking of the JAMC, Jim Reid moonlights as lead vocalist on the slamming and slivering "Detroit," delivering a bucket full of piss and vinegar irreverence. Without warning, Robert Plant (yes, THAT Robert Plant) handily lends his sensual blues harmonica gymnastics to the distorted, techno breakout "The Lord Is My Shotgun." Although the Scream rarely rely on guitars, "City," featuring Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine, proves that they can kick out the jams with the best of 'em. Featuring a rip roaring chorus, it's sure to blow some eardrums. Droning, sexy, and exuberant, Evil Heat is a truly underrated document as Primal Scream deftly embodies the dark side of Rock n' Roll."