2000, Music

XTRMNTR (2000) by PRMLSCRM

I have something against Primal Scream. I have this problem with them because I read so much about how amazing and life-changing Screamadelica was and then I heard it. And what I heard felt like the Stones, samples and dance beats sandwiched together in the most awkward way imaginable. I have listened to it many times and I have no idea what the big deal is. (Also, I know there is a great deal of controversy as to how responsible the band is for the finished product.) So I really never thought I would be saying this but I think I like this.

The first thing that strikes me is the drums – I like the way they are recorded and mixed so much more than in the other Primal Scream songs I’ve heard (that I can remember). It sounds like rock music first and dance music second, which is not how I feel about their supposed magnum opus.

I also think the sound seems so much more “organic”. Organic not in the sense that it sounds like it is made entirely by traditional instruments but, rather, in that the combination of rock music and dance music influences and techniques feels so much more natural to me on this record. I don’t know if that’s because I’ve just listened to a lot more music since the first time I heard Screamadelic, rather the band have gotten better at the mix, or whether they are more responsible for the final product in this case. I just can’t emphasize enough how much more “rock” I find this record than that earlier record. It feels like a band, it feels like a group I could go see live.

I’m not saying I’m a complete convert and I want to actually go see this band or listen to more of their albums – the dance rock thing is still something that doesn’t do much for me. I just mean that I came into this with the fear that I was going to really really hate it. So I am just very happy to enjoy it.

Based on one album, I used to think these guys were one of the most overrated bands of the 1990s. That was clearly a pretty hot take but clearly I just needed to listen to some of their other music. Imagine that.

(I still don’t love the lyrics. They are dance music lyrics, after all.)

7/10

PS Yes, the title and the styling of the band name are obnoxious. You are correct.

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