Customer Reviews

Give Out But Don't Give Up

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Apparently, there's an unwritten law that says you can't possibly like both versions of Primal Scream? Well, I beg to differ! I happen to dig both the groundbreaking psychedelic/electronica sounds of the "Screamadelica" and "Vanishing Point" discs as well as this far from innovative but still hugely enjoyable slice of retro-rock. Fans of 70s-style hard rock with generous doses of funk, soul and blues will like this CD alot. When it comes to music, variety IS the spice of life and diversity is more than welcome. Expand your horizons...just because it's different from the rest of their catalog doesn't automatically make it a failure.

Yes, I got into Primal Scream a little late (with this record). I know that some of their older fans look at this as a kind of sell-out. But I just don't see the problem. Screamadelica's a cool record. So is the brutal Xtrmntr. And the Stonesy, P-Funkish Give Out...The strongest tracks are the first two (Jailbird, Rocks), plus "Funky Jam", "Call on Me" and the terrific "Big Jet Plane"...Call me a fake fan. Call it what you want. This is a really fun album...

- cRAIG

It is apparently not cool to like this Primal Scream album best. I guess I'm not cool then. A review of their later CD, Vanishing Point calls this Rolling Stones meets Black Crowes awfulness. The reviewers tend to praise the later, loud, screaming electronic music. It's a matter of taste. This is one of my favorite CDs. I find the critically praised Primal Scream albums to be noisy and non-musical. If the band listens to what the papers say they will move further and further away from the sound of Screamadelica and this cd towards the louder fare. In my opinion that would be a shame.

Coming as it did after the undeniably brilliant and forward-thinking "Screamadelica"this little slab of full-on retro blooze rock a-la the Faces or "Exile"-era Stones was horribly received at the time of its release. Several years on, though, this one's aged quite well. It's not in the least bit innovative, but it's certainly a hell of a lot of fun. The rockers, like "Jailbird" and "Rocks", swagger with just enough Jagger-on-s***k groove to make them work, while the ballads -- "Cry Myself Blind" being the best -- stack up to "Damaged" off "Screamadelica" quite well. In retrospect it makes sense that the group would follow a sprawling, innovative, psychedelic masterpiece like "Screamadelica" with an album full of small pleasures and garage-rock charms. Final word: if you're looking for electronica-drenched pop, there's none of that here. If the reason you like the Scream is Bobby Gillespie's songwriting and singing, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Primal Scream! What do you say about a band that for each and every album they decide to do another genre? This album is an extreme directional move from screamadelica's psychedelic sounds and the indie heydey of Sonic Flower Groove and Primal Scream. This is all to do with rock (rocks, jailbird) and then some of the most beautiful ballads ever composed (I'm Gonna Cry Myself Blind, I'll Be There For You and Big Jet Plane). And also bluesy funk on Give out but dont you give up and Funy Jam. This was my first primal scream album and at the time my mates called it "an album for chewing gum"...nevermind them...this is an album to demonstrate that you dont need to release another album the same as your last chart topper...please buy this if you havent heard it...the only band to cover the Stones and still remain original!!!!

If you like Rock, then you'll love this record. I heard it in a record store 10 years ago and it has remained one of my all time favorites. Songs like "Rocks" and "Funky" are big, beautiful rock anthems that will have you dancing on the tables. Put this CD on at a party, and everybody will ask who the artist is.

The negative reviews you read here are from Primal Scream fans. Be warned-other Primal Scream albums sound nothing like this one. This one is a complete anamoly. Primal Scream fans hate this record. But if you are a rock fan, you'll will just dig it.

This album is beautyful. From the get off your ass and jam first track to thrack three "Im Gonna Cry Myself BLind" all the way to the heartwrenching "Everybody Needs Somebody" There's a track for everyone. If you want to getting a little bit funky now or wanna ride on a big jet plane or just come out and say I'M FREE! Get this album. Its genious...unlike my horrible spelling.

It's not the usual Scream that we're accustomed to. But that's not something to punish them for. In fact, I give them praise for branching out onto every musical genre in the book! It's not as if this is a bad album, it's terrific! These songs get your blood pumping and heart moving! The Scream produces some of the best Rock/R&B I've ever heard! It's worth your time.

Talk about unforeseen surprises. Primal Scream's GIVE OUT BUT DON'T GIVE UP is a major departure and improvement over their last album, SCREAMEDELICA. A bevy of superstar producers and engineers were hired to help make this album a hip shaking, soul stirring, great slab of funky rock and roll. Tom Dowd (Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Cream) and George Drakoulias (Black Crowes) took turns twisting the knobs for this delicious platter.

Also contributing on three tracks was Dr. Funkenstein himself, the one and only George Clinton. Primal Scream even let George sing lead vocals on two tracks, the fun-as-all-gitout "Funky Jam" and the super cool title track, "Give Out But Don't Give Up." Not surprisingly, these particular cuts are among the standout tracks on this album.

"Rocks" is a total gem, one of the best retro rock anthems since Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way." Primal Scream singer Bobby Gillespie is blessed with a remarkable set of pipes, offering up a range that suits different material that will remind the listener of everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Parliament to the Black Crowes. Very well done. Great album!

I never understood why this record got such bad press. OK it came after Screamadelica which was considered ultra-important back in the day (even if I am not so sure about that). It is true this record was maybe a step backward in some ways: it was not an innovative fusion of musics but it represented an excellent exercise in classic rock. Rocks was and remains an excellent rock song, There are a few other gems on this album that remains a strong rock album.