New Music From Primal Scream
Primal Scream see into the future and Can't Go Back.
It's been over 25 years since the Reid brothers gave drummer Bobby Gillespie a harsh ultimatum. Us or them, Jesus and Mary Chain or Primal Scream. Luckily for us, Gillespie wasn't too stoned that day and chose Primal Scream. You wouldn't think it, but Primal Scream started off a sort of Byrds-like pop group with their debut Sonic Flower Groove. Not a bad album by any means, but a stark contrast to the career defining Screamadelica. The genre inducing Screamadelica still holds up today and is the primmer by which many bands lend their ears.
Primal Scream's following output really ran the gamut. From jangle-pop to acid house, retro-Stones to industrial psychedelia, Primal Scream paint with many colors. Give Out But Don't Give Up gave us straight forward faux-Stones rockers and also a sign that Gillespie would never be comfortable in a certain skin for too long. Following albums XTRMNTR and Evil Heat saw the group take a more heavy Industrious appproach tapping into the worlds' turn of the century fears. Malnourished folk-legend Kate Moss sang on a Lee Hazelwood cover, so it can't be all bad. Last album Riot City Blues continued their Stone's love affair, but with little reward.
Their latest album, Beautiful Future, sees Primal Scream with a nice cheery outlook on things. Maybe it's age, maybe lack of drugs? The new single, "Can't Go Back" is a frantic strobed-out rocker with Bobby Gillespie sounding as invigorated as he ever has. Beautiful Future will be in stores July 21 via B-Unique Records.
Posted by Joe Roth on Jul 09, 2008 @ 7:55 am
The Most Beautiful Song Ever?
The HEAVE staff debates their idea of the most beautiful song ever written.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so is everyone's taste in music. So what happens when you ask a group of people what the most beautiful song in the world is? The answers may surprise you.
Mike Greaney - I would have to say Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" is the most beautiful song ever. Leonard Cohen's melancholy biblical imagery and Buckley's operatic voice and plaintive guitar combine to make something very powerful...
Posted by Wes Soltis on Jul 08, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Get to Know: Buffalo Killers
The Ohio based Buffalo Killers give a gritty, classic sound.
Who knew Ohio was so cool? Cincinnati has become something more than the home of the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S. with the recent success of Ohio natives Afghan Whigs and the Black Keys. An explosion of aggressive guitars, throbbing drum beats and boogie bass work has come out of the Ohio capital, giving it a couple cool points. The Buffalo Killers, riding the aftershocks of their previous band, are the latest addition to the Midwest fad...
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Jul 08, 2008 @ 7:45 am
The Fratellis Jump To a Major Label
Will the transition hurt or help this budding band?
The Fratellis have only been around for just over three years, but they've already made quite a splash. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli and drummer Mince Fratelli. Their last names aren't actually Fratelli, only Barry has any real tie to the name as it was his mother's maiden name. It's unclear where they got the name for their band but I like to think that they're big fans of The Goonies, however it's much more likely that Barry suggested it...
Posted by Cory Roop on Jul 07, 2008 @ 8:10 am
New Music From Dirty Pretty Things
The Dirty Pretty Things Come Clean
Sprung from the ashes of perhaps the most influential British band in the last ten years (The Libertines), Dirty Pretty Things have returned with another collection of pub punk hits. Romance At Short Notice sees Carl Barat and company bring the blood and guts sound that brought debut Waterloo To Anywhere to a brighter level.
"Tired Of England" is a catchy little lament in the same vein that Billy Bragg's "A New England" or The Clash's "London Calling" chastises, and at the same time, praises the homeland. Asking, "How can they be tired of England?" while pointing out its faults, Barat channels more Kinks than Clash this time around. British punk and indie bands in the 70's and 80's sang of a country that had lost its identity. The 90's gave us Brit-pop which returned England to the English, but with a catch. American influence from film, music and fast food had also crept in. "Tired Of England" is a cynical little middle finger to the aristocracy, but mostly to the Royal Family.
Interesting side note, in another sign that it's getting harder and harder for bands to make money off of album and single sales these days, Dirty Pretty Things made an appearance June 20th on the streets of Camden playing for money. $75.00 ain't bad for a 15 minute set.
Posted by Joe Roth on Jul 02, 2008 @ 7:53 am