Primal Scream

The Scream: Past it?

Beautiful Future

Primal Scream are, possibly, proof that a little can go a long way. One great album – Screamadelica – and their position in rock's pantheon was assured.

However, since that point they've done everything possible to destroy their reputation... and yet remain about as loved / popular / worshipped as ever. Even Riot City Blues didn't do much collateral damage to their careers.

A new Primal Scream album is thus always a concern because we know what they're capable of: both good and bad. Beautiful Future is certainly better than Riot City Blues but then so is contracting botulism, probably.

There are hints of the band at their best – a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Over and Over, the rock / dance of Uptown – but Bobby Gillespie's soapbox politicising is also present and correct. And as embarrassing as ever.

'Take a drive around the city, tell me what do you see?' asks Gillespie on Beautiful Future. 'Empty houses, burning cars, naked bodies hanging from a tree.' We'll concede the empty houses and burning cars but naked bodies hanging from a tree? Where does Gillespie live? The Middle Ages? The Borgia residence?

They're the sort of lyrics that a politically aware 12-year old might pen... and then rip up a few months later for reasons of embarrassment and naivety. For a 46-year old whose CV includes Screamadelica, it's unforgivable.

They Say: '...there's good music here: it's just that if you want to hear it you have endure being hectored by a man who gives every impression of being a thumping twit.' The Guardian

We say: A two-star album from a band capable of five.

Best track: Uptown.

share this story: