The Primitives

The Primitives ‘Echoes And Rhymes’ – album review

By Phil Newall

The Primitives ‘Echoes And Rhymes’(Elefant Records)
CD/LP/DL
Released 30th April 2012

The Primitives were formed in Coventry in mid-1985 by Kieron (vocals), Paul Court (guitar), Steve Dullaghan (bass), and Pete Tweedie (drums); after a few gigs Kieron was replaced by Tracy Tracy (vocals), a diminutive peroxide-blonde whose presence introduced a more melodic approach yet remained true the eh bands buzz saw signature, which earned the group the inevitable and lazy comparisons to Blondie.

They self released their debut single ‘Thru the Flowers’ (Lazy Records) label in 1986 which was rapidly followed by BBC sessions for Janice Long, Andy Kershaw, and John Peel. The wonderful ‘Really Stupid’ came next, followed by ‘Stop Killing Me’ appearing in early 1987 – by now The Primitives were riding a critical wave though chart success evaded them; enter RCA who picked the band up in late 87’ and releasing their first full length album ‘Lovely in 1988, at the same time the RCA promotional clout was enough to propel the near perfect single ‘Crash’ into the UK Top 10.

The band had also undergone some personnel changes; Tweedie was thrown out for allegedly mistreating Tracy’s cats!! Having completed their first US tour Dullaghan departed; he was replaced by Paul Sampson and the band recorded the follow up to ‘Lovely’ the poorly received ‘Pure’ – Things went from bad to worse when the bands third album the Ian Broudie produced ‘Galore’ fared even worse; shortly after it was all over bar the bickering over the money!!

Fast forward to 2011, and the tragic death of Steve Dullaghan which brought the various members of the band back together primarily for the funeral; a rapid realisation that time had indeed healed previous wounds and the band began discussing making music together once more. The first seed of this activity was the 2011 ‘Christmas 45’ which brings us neatly to summer 2012 and the arrival of‘Echoes And Rhymes’ on Spanish based Elefant Records; it’s fair to say that it is a surprising release – primarily as it’s an album of cover versions, though all tracks revisited are songs by very obscure female fronted groups from the 60’s – arguably the era that fully understood the benefit of a decent melody, and that was something that certainly in their prime The Primitives were also fond of.

I’ve had this album for a few weeks now; it’s an exhilarating, start to finish head spinning joy!!

Reparata & The Delrons ‘Panic’ opens the album, the track stems from a 1968 B-side from the group who later achieved fame as the backing vocalists on the Rolling Stones ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ The Primitives remain faithful to the slightly hard edge of the original but subtly add their own C86 style jangle to great effect which leads us neatly to ‘Turn Off The Moon’ which stems from Stanley Kubrick’s notorious and arguably paedophilic film ‘Lolita’ – Tracey pitches her voice with just enough husky sensuality to continue the long running ethical debate. ‘Move It On Over’ is a pacey garage type number with a warm soulful vocal which was written by the fantastically named LeGrand Mellon in 1965 which leads into ‘Sunshine On My Rainy Day’ initially written by Polly Niles and is a slower keyboard driven semi psychedelic number that allows Tracy to demonstrate her surprisingly strong vocal range.
‘I’m Not Sayin’ sees Paul Court take lead vocal – this is just like the Jesus & Mary Chain circa ‘Honey’s Dead’ without the feedback. Possibly the most instant track on the album ‘I Surrender’ a stomping 2min 30 sec cover of on Bonnie St Claire’s Tamla styled floor filler. The equally excitable ‘Amoureux D’une Affiche’ stands out as its sung in French, apparently Tracy is bilingual though her second language is Spanish – doesn’t seem to cause her any issues as she repeats the ‘la la la la la’ vocal hook through the track which deals with a man’s love for a semi naked poster girl.
The only track that rocks the albums concept is ‘Single Girl’ and it only does that as Sandy Posey scored a bona fide hit with in 1967, a tale of a girl looking for love; though clearly she has a darker side as she coos “I need a night time love, to get me through the day”.
‘Wild Flower’ closes proceedings with a ramped up garage stomper that Court once more assumes vocal duties for – this is pure black and white 60’s, the backing track to every Austin Powers party – glorious!

This album is complete in every sense of the word; The Primitives have retained the integrity of the source material and then added their own identity with such refinement you would be forgiven for thinking this was a new album as oppossed to a covers album. There isn’t a single track that doesn’t work, despite the kaleidoscope of styles, pop-punk, psych garage fuzz, a touch of Northern Soul, even encroachment into folks periphery – this is perfect pop, the sort of pop that leaves you variously grinning, singing and jumping… all at once!!

The Primitives have announced a short UK to promote ‘Echoes And Rhymes’

May 2012

17 Brighton – The Haunt
18 Leicester – Lock 42
19 Wakefield – The Hop
21 Wolverhampton – Little Civic
22 Manchester – Ruby lounge
23 Liverpool – Kazimiar
24 Doncaster leopard
25 London Borderline