Search - Primitives :: Best of

There was more to this group than just "Crash"!

M. Robson | Northumberland.England | 10/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Formed in Coventry,England in the mid 1980's,the Primitives had an unjustly short period near the top.One massive selling single "Crash",a few lesser hits,and a big selling debut album "Lovely", were followed by a decline in sales,but not in the quality of their work.Presiding genius of the group was Paul Court,songwriter,guitarist and occasional lead vocalist,he had a great talent for writing songs showing melodic 60's influences combined with post punk stylings,a clumsy label might be "Indie power pop"!In Australian born Tracy Cattell,Court had a singer who could do justice to his material.Small, blonde and gorgeous,Tracy was the visual image of the Primitives and her voice was great whatever the style of song,be it tough girl pop punk like "Sick of it",the eastern influenced psychedelia of "Shadow" or wistful ballads like "Empathise".This collection draws on material from all the 3 original Primitives albums "Lovely","Pure " and "Galore".It's a fine introduction to the group.Highlights for me include "Nothing left",a take on ennui ironically showcased in a rousing riff laden song,and "You are the way",a single from near the end of their existence(1991),with a semi psychedelic production enhancing a haunting melody, as Tracy's amazing voice sings of the inadequecy of words in expressing her infatuation(criminally,this breathtaking single only crept into the bottom of the U.K. top 100).

I could listen to the Primitives forever."

Beautiful, catchy pop perfection

Stephanie Porter | St. Louis, MO | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll never know why the Primitives didn't become a huge band. Their songs were so easy to love, with lots of catchy melodies and hooks. The singing is great, the production is great... I just don't get it. Since the band has broken up, I guess it doesn't matter anymore, and we can just enjoy the music they made while they were still together. I hope nobody passes on this collection, put off just because the song titles are unfamiliar (I only ever heard two or three of these on the radio here in the US). All the songs are very good, and most of them are just irresistible. The Primitives just might become your favorite band that your friends have never heard of."

Simply awesome.

mrfike | Davison, MI, USA | 03/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have always had a spot in my heart for the Primitives. In fact they are in my top 5 artists ever! The guitars on their later work are absolutely divine, owing alot to Lou Reed/Velvet Underground simplicity. Tracy Tracy's vocals are just like honey (to borrow from the JMC) and the band rocks. If all you've heard is "Crash" then definitely pick this up to get the broader view. I can also whole heartedly recommend "Lazy", a singles collection from the band's formative days, which has a rougher, almost punk sound, "Lovely" their chart-topping blockbuster that included "Crash" and about 10 other gems, and "Pure", a little more experimental, with some more upbeat, almost danceable tracks.

This collection has most of the essentials, some alternate tracks, and some hard to find goodies. Definitely worth owning and keeping!"