I think we’re all agreed that Primal Scream are a pretty good bunch to have about the place. Schooled in proper rock star etiquette, they behave precisely as gentlemen drawn to their profession ought to with a big young-dumb-and-full-of-cum sound to match. Age, it transpires, shall not weary them.
Though much has been made of their flair for re-invention – the jingly psychedelica of Sonic Flower Groove, the banging sounds of Screamadelica, the creeping electronic doodles on XTRMNTR and Evil Heat, Bobby’s varying hair-lengths – the lads have consistently provided a perfect bounding soundtrack for Good Fucking Times.
Following the departure of Kevin Shields, Riot City Blues takes us back to the straight, honest to God rock of Give Out But Don’t Give Up. When you hear Bobby sing “We’re gonna get back down to the real nitty gritty” you know he ain’t fooling. Purists will surely delight in the infectious party tub-thumping of ‘Country Girl’ and ‘Suicide Sally And Johnny Guitar’, the T-Rexian growl across ‘We’re Gonna Boogie’ and Mani’s killer bassline on ‘When The Bomb Drops’, a grandiose pile-up of indie-fied riffs.
Those desiring the experimental bent of the last two records may have cause to feel put out, but baby, baby, they’ll do what they like. It’s not progressive. It might even put you in mind of the Australian Rolling Stones. But if Kasabian ever make a balls-out record like this one, I’ll bet they’ll wet their knickers for joy.