Monday, March 24, 2014

UK Indie Hits: 1980-89 (No. 39)

I'm counting down my top 50 singles from the golden age of the UK Independent Charts.

39. Primal Scream - "Crystal Crescent"

Other Contenders: The band had three charting singles, but this is the only one I considered.

Chart Entry: May 17, 1986

Peak Position: No. 3

Comment: My fandom was brief. In a nutshell, I really liked the first three singles. Primal Scream's best moment, however, was the 90 seconds on the B-side of "Crystal Crescent." I have read a time or two the band didn't think much of this A-side, and you can argue the production leaves a lot to be desired, but I have always found the horns and the chorus to be quite catchy. By "Gentle Tuesday" I had moved on to other bands. Some of you (sorry, Uncle E) will think I left dinner without ever tasting the main course, and just as many of you will think I shouldn't have even bothered with the appetizer. Primal Scream is nothing if not divisive. As for me, I'm all about the jangle, and I feel I excused myself from the table feeling full enough.

Buy "Crystal Crescent" on the 'Creation Soup' box set.

Bonus B-Side: Primal Scream - "Velocity Girl"

4 comments:

Echorich said...

I'm with you hear Brian. Primal Scream were something special from 85 - 87.

Dirk said...

Yes, I will never, never in my life, be able to understand why Velocity Girl was chosen to be the B-Side and not the A-Side ...

Uncle E said...

Hey, that's OK, I've been on and off the 'Scream train many times, but yes I still adore Screamadelica, most likely because it hit me at exactly the right time in my life. Variety is the spice of life, my friend, and I respect your opinion more than most.

Uncle E

Brian said...

Thanks, Uncle E. I was hoping you would say that.

Well, Dirk, the folks at NME seemed to get "velocity Girl" was the song to highlight. Really with you here.

Echorich, curious... if you see this, how long did you stick with Primal Scream?