Music review: Primal Scream

Published on Tuesday 8 July 2008 20:41

PRIMAL SCREAM *** ABC2, GLASGOW

IT WASN'T quite the equivalent of throwing one of those impromptu parties for which Primal Scream became notorious, but this speedily arranged club gig to celebrate the release of their new album Beautiful Future was an unexpected boon for ticket-winners and liggers.

While the band kept the crowd waiting long enough to stoke anticipation but not so long as to chance souring the atmosphere, the PA rocked to the strains of the noble lineage Primal Scream brazenly burgle. The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, T Rex, Bob Dylan and the voice of Joe Strummer – they've stolen from all of them.

Bobby Gillespie continues to defy the march of time, but should he default in some way, it looks like newbie guitarist "Little" Barrie Cadogan would be happy to fill the role of Gillespie mini-me. Their long-serving guitarist Andrew Innes, bless him, was still wearing the black-and-white polka-dot shirt and baker boy cap combo which were de rigueur in 1986 – somewhat ironically, the first number they played was new single Can't Go Back.

This was no live album playback, however. Instead, they cherry-picked a handful of new numbers to showcase, including the live debut of I Love To Hurt (You Love To Be Hurt). "We wish you all a beautiful future," declared Gillespie as the band struck up the title track.

However, all the new material was put in the shade when the band finally revved up just as they approached the finishing line, with Shoot Speed/Kill Light (accompanied by guitar-as-gun posturing from Cadogan), Swastika Eyes, Rocks, Loaded and a beefy Movin On Up, which only confirmed that Primal Scream's best days are behind them. At least that still gives them the option of following The Rolling Stones' career model.