Screamadelica: the poll

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Wait, no, it's the title track. Parts of this album have aged really, really badly - but the good bits are still SOOOO good that they seem to transcend all that. But then again, maybe it was a time and place.

When the drums kick in about 2:48 on Higher Than The Sun, it's still absolutely magical.

ARGH. DECISIONS. stop polling my misspent youth.

The ILX Double Standard (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:52 (fifteen years ago) link

The title track is a b-side on the Dixie Narco EP, Kate; wotchoo talkin' abaht?

Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:52 (fifteen years ago) link

the title track isn't on the album tho

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:53 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:53 (fifteen years ago) link

What am i thinking? this should be titled screaPOLLdelica

ABSOLUTELY NO SCRUBS WHATSOEVER, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:53 (fifteen years ago) link

DFIFI was better as a single.

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:54 (fifteen years ago) link

ARGH. I meant Higher Than The Sun. Sorry, acid flashback, I'm losing my mind.

The ILX Double Standard (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:54 (fifteen years ago) link

Voted for Slip Inside This House, although I love most of the things already mentioned pretty much as much.

Sickamous Mouthall (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:56 (fifteen years ago) link

DFIFI was better as a single.

Isn't this true of all the tracks that were released as singles? Never really got into this album because of that.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO (Colonel Poo), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:56 (fifteen years ago) link

not true.

I liked the remix 12" of Don't fight it, it's not here.

Went for the dub symphony.

Mark G, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:58 (fifteen years ago) link

Isn't this true of all the tracks that were released as singles? Never really got into this album because of that.

― I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO (Colonel Poo), Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:56 AM (41 seconds ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

i never really liked the farley/heller version of 'come together' but w. DFIFI basically the 7" mix is pure gold, whereas on the LP it's a bit unfocussed -- even less so than the 12" mix iirc. whereas they just put on the 12" mixes of 'come together' and 'loaded' which are both great. and they put on the 7" of 'higher than the sun' i think.

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 10:00 (fifteen years ago) link

This should be deluxified.

(You seen those latest Radiohead 3 disc versions of their first three albums?)

Mark G, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 10:03 (fifteen years ago) link

OH GOD I WOULD SO BUY A DELUXE OF THIS ALBUM.

Still can't make up my mind. Loaded is never as good as I remember it being.

The ILX Double Standard (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 10:05 (fifteen years ago) link

"Higher Than The Sun". Combines melodic songsmith qualities with an interesting use of electronics to the best effect.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 10:53 (fifteen years ago) link

I was thinking specifically of Come Together - I much preferred the single version of that to the album version - I ended up buying some US import of the Come Together EP to get it.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO (Colonel Poo), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:34 (fifteen years ago) link

time and overexposure has largely spoiled this record for me. loaded would be my first choice to listen to.. it was also the first primals i ever owned (though i heard ivy ivy ivy first)

Bad, Bad Memories of a Good Time (electricsound), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:38 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost yeah, and I think the elongated version of the single version was on one of the 12" singles (and nowhere else)

Mark G, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:40 (fifteen years ago) link

My favorite track from this always alternates. These days it's Slip Inside This House.

2 ears + 1 ❤ (Pillbox), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 11:45 (fifteen years ago) link

Higher Than The Sun is their best song ever.

Even last month live when they turned the last third into a blues jam.

IRL Consequences by Godley & Creme (sic), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 12:01 (fifteen years ago) link

Come Together 4EVA!!!

Although this record is very dated

kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 13:22 (fifteen years ago) link

More love from me for the title track. I had it tightly wound in its entirety round one side of the Dixie Narco 7" - I'm amazed the needle didn't carve through the disc every time I played it

In its absence, 'Don't Fight It, Feel It' is the only one I ever listen to, so that

Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 13:34 (fifteen years ago) link

Apart from Movin' on Up, Come Together & Loaded, I don't think this record is dated at all. Still sounds amazing at 3 in the morning. Voted for Shine Like Stars.

nate woolls, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 13:40 (fifteen years ago) link

htts (dub symphony)

paper plans (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 14:23 (fifteen years ago) link

I could never get into this record- I don't know maybe you had to be there or something. Perhaps Kate's right that a lot of it has aged badly and by the time I heard it in the early 00's it just didn't sound so great- I actually like Vanishing Point better. Also, the original "Slip Inside This House" is far superior. I don't know, maybe I should give it a another listen one of these days.

ColinO, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 14:47 (fifteen years ago) link

Damaged ftw

Roberto Mussolini (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:37 (fifteen years ago) link

guess which one i'm gonna vote for

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:39 (fifteen years ago) link

it would be easier if you just told us.

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:41 (fifteen years ago) link

"I Belong to Glesga (Dear Auld Glesga Toon)"

Sacco, Vanzetti, Passantino... (Tom D.), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:42 (fifteen years ago) link

but it's obvious which one i'm gonna vote for

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:42 (fifteen years ago) link

Why would it be obvious to anyone but you?

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:44 (fifteen years ago) link

SOOO OBVIOUS, GOD

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:45 (fifteen years ago) link

"A Plague of Shitehouse Keechers"?

Sacco, Vanzetti, Passantino... (Tom D.), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:45 (fifteen years ago) link

Anyway, until CM deigns to reveal all, I have a soft spot for "Slip Inside This House", but, I think it has to be "Higher Than The Sun [dub symphony]"

zero learnt from nero (Neil S), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:45 (fifteen years ago) link

DFIFI because no Bobby lol

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:48 (fifteen years ago) link

^^ same reason im probabyl going come together

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:48 (fifteen years ago) link

here's what you've all been waiting for

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:50 (fifteen years ago) link

come together, duh

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:50 (fifteen years ago) link

you being a huge balearic guy, how could we not have guessed.

FREE DOM AND ETHAN (special guest stars mark bronson), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:51 (fifteen years ago) link

it is also the best song called "come together" (non-controversial opinion imo)

(dude did you not see me repping for Studio lolz)

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:52 (fifteen years ago) link

sometimes think this is the best British indie canon album of the 90s because it's got just enough sense of fun on board not just 'miserable splendour' like Loveless, Dummy, Maxinquaye etc.

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:54 (fifteen years ago) link

2nd-best song called "come together" = blur's come together

never did like spz one much and beatles is str8 overrated

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:55 (fifteen years ago) link

Annie's is better than all dat (not PS)

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:56 (fifteen years ago) link

jesus fkn christ there are 872 recorded "come together"s on allmusic

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:58 (fifteen years ago) link

"Come Together" is the song that made me start hating Primal Scream.

the call of the taint (HI DERE), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 15:58 (fifteen years ago) link

"Come Together" is a good Beatles song!

Sacco, Vanzetti, Passantino... (Tom D.), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:00 (fifteen years ago) link

noooo

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:00 (fifteen years ago) link

abbey road is an album that totally only becomes any good at "she's so heavy" and then remains very good for the remainder

Stop relegating Hull you miserable gits! (country matters), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:01 (fifteen years ago) link

I think we would all agree that.

Mark G, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:02 (fifteen years ago) link

No we wouldn't

Sacco, Vanzetti, Passantino... (Tom D.), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:03 (fifteen years ago) link

absolutely fucking not

x-post

Roberto Mussolini (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 24 March 2009 16:03 (fifteen years ago) link

(those five Suede gigs I mentioned were in 2003, I just found out to my horror when I read the flier for their upcoming reunion)

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 24 February 2010 14:01 (fourteen years ago) link

whoever picked that photo wants shooting.

piscesx, Wednesday, 24 February 2010 17:00 (fourteen years ago) link

And those are their first gigs for 10 years?

Mark G, Wednesday, 24 February 2010 19:49 (fourteen years ago) link

that exact line up +1 other random played Glastonbury 2003. it was godawful aswell.

piscesx, Wednesday, 24 February 2010 22:08 (fourteen years ago) link

'as well'? Bit harsh on the gigs that haven't taken place yet

Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 24 February 2010 22:12 (fourteen years ago) link

seven months pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXBWhYFS1Ao

Cunga, Thursday, 14 October 2010 16:59 (thirteen years ago) link

blocked

i was like a person at a table at a place (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 14 October 2010 19:02 (thirteen years ago) link

Wow. This poll is totally backwards. Come Together is the worst song on here (along with Movin' on Up), and Coming Down is among the best.

Lazarus Niles-Burnham (res), Thursday, 14 October 2010 19:34 (thirteen years ago) link

BOOOOM

Ain't Too Proud to Neg (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 14 October 2010 19:37 (thirteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/31/primal-scream-screamadelica-live

Brilliant stuff in here from this morning's Observer. 'Anyone seen Smiler?' The whole house stood up."

piscesx, Sunday, 31 October 2010 05:23 (thirteen years ago) link

The article author seems to be really impressed and excited at any mention of drugs.

Just to take a couple of instances out of many mentions which don't add anything much to the article:

The gentler charms of "Damaged", "Shine Like Stars" and "Inner Flight" completed proceedings. Duffy was tripping on acid for the latter recording.

...Screamadelica was released on 23 September 1991, the cover a trippy image of the Sun created by Paul Cannell, another of the band's associates who was allegedly inspired by a damp patch he'd seen on the Creation offices ceiling after taking acid

and a whole quote from Q magazine:

In December, Miranda Sawyer reported for Q magazine on the band's rider at Barrowland in Glasgow: "Tonight's menu includes: 'glug' (methadone, a soporific heroin substitute); ecstasy (inhibition-dismissing, dancefloor friendly 'love' drug); amphetamine sulphate; magic mushrooms; cocaine and – backstage staple – hash. The varied and various mood alterants are liberally distributed among the tour regulars. 'You know,' muses Bobby, 'it was a love of music that brought us all together and that's what we really get excited about. But we also get excited when the drugs turn up... really excited.'"

Bob Six, Sunday, 31 October 2010 10:41 (thirteen years ago) link

Bobby Gillespie, waifish ringmaster of Primal Scream, who is dressed, none the less, all in black: black skinny jeans, black T-shirt, long black hair, only streaks of grey making him look any older than he did 20 years ago.

Um, no.

As someone who is rather an expert in what Bobby G looked like 20 year ago, um, really.... no.

Wheal Dream, Sunday, 31 October 2010 11:11 (thirteen years ago) link

Problem is, any time that I start to read any words that come out of Bobby Gillespie's mouth, I start to love that album a little less. Which is a real shame, so I try to avoid the interviews.

Wheal Dream, Sunday, 31 October 2010 11:20 (thirteen years ago) link

"Problem is, any time that I start to read any words that come out of Bobby Gillespie's mouth, I start to love that album a little less. Which is a real shame, so I try to avoid the interviews."

Typically a good idea for any musician one likes...

skip, Sunday, 31 October 2010 15:57 (thirteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/screamadelica452.jpg

piscesx, Saturday, 27 November 2010 05:27 (thirteen years ago) link

i like primary colours

i look at the interior of my sack and feel sad (ilxor), Saturday, 27 November 2010 06:22 (thirteen years ago) link

Round Boxes, whoo!

Mark G, Monday, 29 November 2010 10:58 (thirteen years ago) link

six months pass...

From the DVD...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_XAFqvkpw

Stockhausen's Ekranoplan Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Saturday, 4 June 2011 04:00 (twelve years ago) link

I've fallen in love with 'higher than the sun' since the reissue. Bobby's such a weak singer but somehow transcends this on many points throughout screamadelica. Love the melismatic delivery of the line 'what I've got in my head you can't buy'. Also love the 7" version of come together for similar reasons.

broodje kroket (dog latin), Saturday, 4 June 2011 07:36 (twelve years ago) link

Funny how people upthread are saying this sounds dated - they're not wrong, but this is the first sign of a full scale stylistic revival

broodje kroket (dog latin), Saturday, 4 June 2011 07:37 (twelve years ago) link

The Screamadelica EP (with the eponymous track) is as good as anything they ever did, and still sounds great.

broom air, Sunday, 5 June 2011 01:40 (twelve years ago) link

Whoops, Dixie Narco EP I mean. Track is called "Screamadelica"

broom air, Sunday, 5 June 2011 01:47 (twelve years ago) link

three weeks pass...

Classic Albums - Screamadelica

john. a resident of chicago., Tuesday, 28 June 2011 09:00 (twelve years ago) link

two years pass...

perfect timing Scik as i'm about to see them in a few days here in Los Angeles.

Bee OK, Saturday, 28 September 2013 03:30 (ten years ago) link

six years pass...

RIP Denise Johnson

https://louderthanwar.com/denice-johnson-much-loved-manchester-and-primal-scream-singer-rip/

Oor Neechy, Monday, 27 July 2020 16:53 (three years ago) link

RIP Denise. This is great.

visiting, Monday, 27 July 2020 18:32 (three years ago) link

Really cool interview, thanks Visiting

Sad about this, she was so great with Primal Scream back in the day

Was just thinking about her solo single the other day. I bought it as a cassingle!

umsworth (emsworth), Monday, 27 July 2020 20:47 (three years ago) link

ten months pass...

listening again thanks to lorde and "higher than the sun" is really one of the coolest psych-rock tracks of all time, wish they'd done a whole album with the orb

ufo, Sunday, 13 June 2021 08:48 (two years ago) link

Yep, the best thing here.

Tim F, Sunday, 13 June 2021 08:50 (two years ago) link

Hell yes, altho I’m partial to Shine Like Stars for similar reasons

assert (matttkkkk), Sunday, 13 June 2021 09:35 (two years ago) link

there are some cool sounds here but it doesn't hang together really does it? maybe you had to be there (like with the stone roses album)

there is also something a bit off that I can't really articulate about the way so many white british bands used gospel in this era

Left, Sunday, 13 June 2021 15:51 (two years ago) link

it's also hard for me to hear this band without thinking "you wankers" - maybe I'd like it more if there was a different name on the cover

Left, Sunday, 13 June 2021 15:53 (two years ago) link

Funnily enough, their name isn't on the cover.

Mark G, Sunday, 13 June 2021 17:49 (two years ago) link

otm re higher than the sun, don’t really f w the rest of this album

brimstead, Sunday, 13 June 2021 18:14 (two years ago) link

i had the vhs version of this (and only the vhs) and the video for Some Like Stars was gaby agis dancing which gave it a little something extra

koogs, Sunday, 13 June 2021 18:34 (two years ago) link

ok you know what i mean xps

Left, Sunday, 13 June 2021 18:44 (two years ago) link

wtf this album is great fools

mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Sunday, 13 June 2021 19:50 (two years ago) link

it seems like the kind of album that would soundtrack a lot of formative experiences so i can sort of imagine why it so special to many people. i don't like it much but i'd probably be into it if i'd heard it at the right time & place (i feel the same way about neutral milk hotel)

unfortunately the first primal scream song i heard was country girl and i was just like fuck off

Left, Sunday, 13 June 2021 20:15 (two years ago) link

Whenever I would finally make it home from God knows how long pillin' it hard to deepest, darkest drum 'n' bass or transcendental progressive house or mad happy trance, (back in '97/'98) I'd go to bed and put this on and the world was aaaaalright 🙂

Fauna Sukkot (Deflatormouse), Monday, 14 June 2021 02:22 (two years ago) link

You missed everything kid, I feel sorry for you! xp

Fauna Sukkot (Deflatormouse), Monday, 14 June 2021 02:23 (two years ago) link

wtf this album is great fools

I am indeed a great fool.

I was at the Palladium show featured on the rerelease, first of four times I saw them over the years. (All of which were really good, oddly enough, because arguably they shouldn't've worked and yet here we are.)

Ned Raggett, Monday, 14 June 2021 02:27 (two years ago) link

Never saw this poll, interesting results. My four favorite tracks placed #2-5, definitely prefer them to the better-known tracks. Didn't realize ILM lately felt the same!

Vinnie, Monday, 14 June 2021 04:07 (two years ago) link

"higher than the sun" is so cool that they could have made an entire career out of that sound. and really should have honestly

ufo, Monday, 14 June 2021 04:53 (two years ago) link

Echo Dek scratches the "Primal Scream go dub reggae" itch pretty well, even if it's not quite up to the standard of HTTS

Neil S, Monday, 14 June 2021 10:47 (two years ago) link

there are some cool sounds here but it doesn't hang together really does it?

I thought this when it was first released, and still do. IIRC, it was largely cobbled together from various sources to capitalise on the success of "Loaded", rather than being planned as an album.

mahb, Monday, 14 June 2021 11:09 (two years ago) link

That's why I've always preferred Morning Dove White to Screamadelica. Both seriously good albums, but the former feels more cohesive, and gives a glimpse of what the latter could have been if Weatherall was more involved.

henry s, Monday, 14 June 2021 11:48 (two years ago) link


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