Classic Album Review: Primal Scream

P rimal Scream contain multitudes. Sometimes they want to trip out and dance. Sometimes they want to freak out and make noise. And sometimes they want to rock out and be The Rolling Stones. Which is it on their eighth studio album Riot City Blues ? Well, here's a hint: 18 seconds into this 52-minute set, frontman Bobby Gillespie asks, 'What can a poor boy do?' The only answer, of course, is sing for a rock 'n' roll band that channels Mick and Keef at their early '70s heyday. For these 13 cuts, the Screamers unplug the samplers and trade away the beatboxes of 2002's Evil Heat . Then they crank up the guitars and cut loose with some old-school rockers full of chunky Chuck Berry licks, pumping propulsive beats, female backups and country-honk licks. Though, to be honest, this is more than just a Stones homage. Country Girl has the mandolin wind of Faces. Suicide Sally & Johnny Guitar adds a splash of glam-punk. When The Bomb Drops delivers the Britrock. The harmonica-wheezer 99th Floor fulfils the garage-rock quotient. We're Gonna Boogie gets its John Lee Hooker on. Dolls pays tribute to David Johansen and co. And the cover of Gimme Some Truth is equal parts John Lennon, Johnny Thunders and Johnny Rotten. Given that the band's last attempt at this — 1994's Give Out But Don't Give Up — was savaged by critics and fanatics, the boys might be pushing their luck by going back for seconds. But anyone who wants to get their rocks off with Primal Scream again will find Riot City Blues presents a multitude of opportunities. TAGS Album Review Classic Album Featured Primal Scream Darryl Sterdan