#437 Primal Scream, 'Screamadelica' (1991)

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I was so sure that this album was included last time. I was surprised to discover that that wasn’t the case. How? It’s such a seminal record. An album I know pretty well and one that I’ve listened to so many times. ‘Screamadelica’ was a major influence on so many people; musicians and fans alike. Released by Creation Records, the label that would go on to sign Oasis, the album was the inaugural winner of the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.

The album was a significant change in direction for the indie-rock band, who, for this album, had drawn inspiration from the burgeoning house music scene in the UK. While a great record, it does meander at times and go off on trippy tangents (the 15 minutes between ‘Inner Flight’ and ‘Come Together,’ for example). The lead single, and biggest hit, ‘Loaded,’ is a 7 minute journey leading you to ‘Damaged,’ a song so different from anything else; if you told me it was the Rolling Stones, I might believe you. This album is a bit like a 48-hour weekend drug binge. With ‘Movin’ on Up’ starting the party , it all starts to literally come down with ‘I’m Comin’ Down,’ eventually culminating in the very low key audio equivalent of the Sunday Night sads, ‘Shine Like Stars.’

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