Screamadelica

It is hard to believe this was released in 1991. This sounds like something more recent, especially considering the sampling and production. Not sure how this band is a rock band though XD It certainly requires a few more listens to give this a decent rating, as there is so much to unpack here. I feel each listen you will discover something new, which is just a testament to the production here. Love it!

Just got worse the farther into the album I went. I’m really not a fan of this psychedelic background music thing they’ve got going on. A chore to get through.

Now we're talking! This album brings together some classic rock influences ("Inner Flight" feels like 90s Pet Sounds) with acid house production. It immediately brings to mind that dance episode of Spaced and memories of being able to actually go out dancing with friends. It's such a memorable listen and the Primal Scream album that sticks with me the most. Step inside and let yourself be free. Rating: 4.5/5 Favourite tracks: "Loaded", "Moving on Up", "Damaged" and "Inner Flight"

Bizarre album, it’s like a buffet of mediocre songs from different genres.

Sometimes when you throw a bunch of genres in a blander and set it on high, something pretty cool comes out. This is one of those times. Not every sip of the psych-dance-gospel-dub smoothie is perfect, but it's never uninteresting.

Ahh the album that invented the 90's. Such a cool concept and mixture of genres. Even though it draws from arguably dated sounds and ideas it still feels cool and fresh.

Another in the long list of albums designed to be listened to whilst spamming your bonce with pills. Which means it makes passable background music but does absolutely nothing for the dendrites.

Enraging, directionless, nonsensical garbage. Any allusion to familiarity with certain radio play songs, doesn’t do enough to save this appalling piece of garbage. I’m finding more terrible albums with this process than good. My average rating is closer to 2.

The name of the band in conjunction with the album title made me laugh and the actual music radiates joy. Weirdly reminds me of The Rolling Stones. Highly enjoyable.

very cool album - don't let the title make you think it is heavy metal or screaming or something.

I remember buying this album on a one-day band trip in high school. Snuck over the HMV while everyone was grabbing lunch and got it 2 for $20 with some other record. The reason I can't remember the other record I bought that day because Screamadelic confounded me. I loved the funky acid/psych rock, but my 16 year old ears had never heard club beats before. Wasn't a hit with my friends, and I mostly listened to "Moving On Up" on repeat, but over the years I got to the rest of the tracks. Incredible stuff, sprawling and loose, but not even a second wasted on this hour-long listen. Fav Tracks: Loaded, Moving on Up, Shine Like the Stars and Inner Flight. Rating 4.5/5

Cracking album. Doesn’t sound 30 years old. Loads of variety. Poss the orig indie/dance crossover?

Can’t believe I’d never heard even of this

It's just brilliant isn't it, full on happy dancy, hands-in-the-air loveliness

Really good! I don’t think it needed to be an hour long, but this is a cool album full of interesting ideas. 9/10

Absolute classic

Came for screamo, left not disappointed

It’s just the ultimate ecstasy album. A classic!!

Really interesting music. Hard to pin a genre on this, the description on Apple Music is all over the place. Listening to this outside in the sun feels perfect though, catching a vibe for sure. I love the instrumentals. The vocals are fairly weak and forgettable, but with this kind of music they really aren’t that important. I dig it. Favorite tracks: Movin On Up, Don’t Fight It Feel It, Higher Than the Sun, Loaded, Damaged. Album art: LOVE this one, I’m calling it iconic based on seeing it just a number of times. Bright colors like this work great for me, and it definitely fits the music. More like this. 4/5

Moving Up is a good song. Rest of the album is bleh. 2/5

Saved Prior: None Saved Off Rip: None Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Sounded like a less interesting version of Fatboy Slim and "Connected" by the Stereo MC's. Close to a 1 tbh, because even though nothing was objectively bad about the album, nothing was objectively good either. It just existed for OVER AN HOUR. These songs should not be 5+ minutes.

fucking awful

This album starts off like an ad for Special K, turns into 80s workout music, then ends with long, boring and annoying tracks. Higher than the Sun is a decent track though.

Whoever thinks this is a must-hear was deaf beforehand.

Exciting from start to finish

The first masterpiece is here. Went in with no expectations and was blown away. This took me on a trip and there's not a song I would skip here.

Screamadelica came along at an interesting time. When Madchester and the Summer of Love '89 Redux gave way to dwindling fortunes and diminishing returns, Primal Scream came out with a snapshot of their transformation from twee C86 inspired rockers to paint-splattered ecstacy riddled hedonists. Gospel infused rockers, ambient dub fusions, reinterpretations of 60s psych rock classics and bombastic declarations of feeling are brilliantly displayed throughout a triumphant hour. Their most popular and important record by a long mile, this remains their magnum opus and endlessly listenable from start to finish.

This list is giving me a treat this week as this is the 3rd album from late '91 that happens to be an absolute favourite of mine. I was 18 when this came out 30 years ago and what a time it was be be immersed in music. Some have said I am biased because of mny youth but this, Nevermind and Loveless have stood the test of time with me. And in the case of Screamadelica, I love it more now than I ever had. This album is genius on every level and I am forever grateful for Andy Weatherall and Alex Paterson for helping take a bunch of leather clad noise merchant's and shape them into the blissed out rave gods of this album.

A great mix of indie and dance production from Weatherall and Gillespie. I don’t love this quite as much as some of my friends did back in the day, but it still has a strong sense of nostalgia for me. And it does want me to get real messy on a cocktail of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and staying up way too late.

Love this album! Nick I can definitely see Inner Flight being on Pet Sounds. I also am picking up Beach Boys Holland vibe on Shine Like Stars. What struck me over and over was how most of the instrumental tracks reminded me of The Fireman's first album (McCartney/Youth). It makes sense as Youth comes from the same scene that influenced this album at the time. This album came out in 91 and McCartney and Youth started working on the first Fireman album in 92. So many similarities. This was a joy to listen to and is now in rotation. Favorite song: Moving on Up, inner Flight, Loaded, Damaged and Shine Like Stars. 5 star!!

So good. Production is amazing. A classic

A Fresh 5

I wanna get loaded.

Plays like a weird dance mix with various artists, like one you found in a cereal box in the 90's. Sounded empty to me.

The most popular part of my dick is the neverending foreskin. It's been on the Jeremy Kyle show 16 times and always has a punch up. The screams from all that have seen it give me sexy nightmares.

I have loved this record since it came out. The songs are, perhaps, not that strong, but the production and mood lifts this into the all time classic range. Its a night in the clubs, with the chill-out come-down at the end. The spaced-out, dubbed-out, extended dance mix production turn this into an album that I can listen to over and over again. Loaded is a staple of my DJ sets, but in context, event he weaker songs on this album work because of the way they contribute to the mood and journey of the record. love it.

Wonderful infusion of classic Stones esque rock n roll and elements of house, dance and indie music.

Took a minute to realize that track 2 was a 13th Floor Elevators cover, “Slip Inside This House”. They did a good job of making it their own, while sort of keeping it in line with the original. That song, “Higher Than the Sun”, “Inner Flight” and “I’m Comin’ Down” were probably the highlights for me. Not a fan of the Stephen Stills/“Love the One You’re With” meets dance music vibes happening on some of the songs, like “Move On Up” and “Come Together” or “Loaded”. It’s kind of like the worst parts of both joining together make something I truly don’t like. Had I ever taken ecstasy in my life, I might feel differently about this record, but this really feels like music for a time and place that I was not present for and have little interest in visiting. (I just realized this is the second Stephen Stills reference I’ve made in as many days. I think for the remainder of my reviews I’m going to drop a Stephen Stills reference in as many of them as possible. I’ve got 67 records left to review, let’s how many I can pull off)

Opening track absolutely slaps. Then there was a bunch of songs that sounded like remixes but I think were original songs. "Damaged" sounds like a Stones song.

I can see how this type of album/music would make a huge splash in the early 90s - mashing up different elements of psychedelia and acid/house to create something (at the time) largely unheard of. I'd likely give four stars if listening when it first came out, but in 2024 it feels staunchly mid-tier.

The only PS record I had heard before listening to this was "XTRMNTR" and I remember thinking it was ok but fans were disappointed. After listeining to Screamadelica, I can understand why. Not only is it an objectively better record, it doesn't even sound like the same band. A lot of this record has the loose and fun feeling of late-60s, early 70s Rolling Stones. Not sure if that's be design, but I love it. It also has some modern elements (electronic drum and piano loops and sitar in the same song!) that in 1991 probably seemed very ahead of their time. I like that. Still, some of it sounds like music I'd hear in the dressing room at Express or H&M. Meh. But I'm sure in the early 90s, it was very cool.

This is another one of those albums that sounds like a blender medley of bands that I love, but don't like their parts together. It's not to say that I don't like this album, I do, it's just a bit generic, giving me the vibes of U2, Beta Band (and yes, I know, they formed AFTER, i'm just saying, sound-wise), The Smiths, and Pulp (you wanna talk about an underrated band, Pulp is criminally underrated). The best song on this album is a tie between "Loaded" and "Slip Inside This House". I'd listen to this again, but not in one sitting.

dogshit

establishing shot music hardest album to listen to so far which is surprising to me cause i think on paper id like this? made a believer out of MEAAA

It’s chaotic. The first half sounds like it was written by a bunch of super high kids who were fascinated by all of the new sound effects uploaded into their synth who made a collective pact to use as many of them in every song as possible. And the second half is like weird bird noises and people snoring over what I imagine they play in opium dens. Super “vibey” but not in a cool way. I hate it. It’s definitely a psychedelic album and I can say with certainly I’ve never been as high as these people.

What the ****. Almost fall asleep in my car, after the begining of each song I was already mad that I still need to endure another 6minutes or even more.. BORING, there's a small portion of me that maybe able to understand why someone in the 90's would have like it, but being a fan in 2022 mean that you're a psycho

Reading the Wikipedia page I was expecting a true revolutionary album, but it was very disappointing. Maybe it was revolutionary when it was released, but today, it sounds very generic and not so good electronic rock.

Good start but quickly petered out into presumably drug fuelled nonsense.

If my imaginary 14 year-old son had made this at school, of course I'd listen, though I'd have fleeting thoughts of giving up after Come Together, especially as the wee lad would have crashed on the sofa by that point anyway, but fatherly duty would compel me to see it through to the end, and I'd finish feeling pretty impressed. Pretty proud of young Todd, too. Context is everything.

At this point, i'm over giving these albums i've never heard of a chance. i haven't heard of them for a reason i guess. Just a snoozefest.

Strives to hit some balance between choral, dance, and indie but ends up becoming a bland, repetitive mess in the process

Garbage

Love this one so much

This was not what I was expecting. The name makes me think alt/grunge rock like the Motley Crue song. Yeah it's not that. This is a really solid album. There is a lot going on and it's pretty enjoyable. I'll have to check out the rest of their music.

One of my fav albums of mine later in life like in my mid 30s such a vibe of mid nineties london not like i would know just wat i imagine innit

10/10…alternative dance / indie disco

Fascinating, varied, excellent

Inspirational mix rock , dance and gospel

This was great. I had never heard of Primal Scream before today, and I was bracing for something really brutal and obnoxious, but from the very first instant of the very first track, I was happily greeted with some great-sounding acoustic guitar strumming in a trippy, stilted rhythm that made my ear and brain happy. It just kept rolling from there, and I loved every track. Lots of trip-hop sounding stuff, some sample-heavy stuff, some melodic and psychedelic stuff, just overall great. Sometimes reminded me of Lou Reed in places, sometimes some of the stuff on the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. I listened twice -- five stars.

Essential. Saw them play the album live a couple of years ago. Magic night.

One of the best

Chill

This will never be my favourite album ever, but I think having given it a fair crack it's just about a 5* It's varied, complex, nuanced - it takes you on a journey. I can totally see why this was the big acid/LCD soundtrack in the 90s. Totally deserves the iconic status it has, in my opinion.

наааайс

5+ Stars (15/15)

I can't be objective about this one. It probably has a little too much filler to truly deserve a 5 star rating, but the whole album is such a vibe, and the standout tracks are such classics in the indie/dance crossover genre, that anything less would be a disservice. Can we talk about the album cover too? Iconic.

Ok, so admittedly this is probably a nostalgic 5 but this is great. Primal Scream never did anything else remotely as good as this though so I think Andrew Weatherall (r.i.p.) has to get a lot of the credit

Kuunneltu pelkkä 59 min aljuperäisosuus..m. Ei kauheasti bullshittiä löytynyt... onko kumommetoihien häränpaska mistä kptoosiin heh taitaako omasta päästä tässä albumissa ei...

This is #day79 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... we're gonna have a good time, we're gonna have a party! I literally can't sit still whenever this record plays. Screamadelica is undoubtedly one of the most essential albums of its time. It's a head-spinning time capsule with an explosive blend of styles—acid house, Madchester, dub-reggae, neo-psychedelia, and so much more. No substances required, the music does the trick. I also love to blast it on vinyl. If you like to drop the needle now and then, the 2015 EU reissue is bound to knock your socks off. With tracks like "Slip Inside This House", "Don't Fight It, Feel It", "Higher Than The Sun", and "Loaded", it's all about the v-i-i-i-be... Yes, this is the one to listen to before you die. But, I'm hell-bent on revisiting this album more in the future. This is a definite 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day80.

offbeat album with varied soundscape. Not a single boring moment. Favorite track: loaded other picks: moving on up, i am coming down, higher than the sun, don’t fight it feel it. almost the entire album calls for re-listens.

Easily in my top 10 all time. Up until a couple of years ago I had only ever heard the original version of Come Together, but apparently the one with lyrics is the one that’s on all the North American versions of this album. I don’t necessarily prefer it as part of this album, but I will listen to it much more on its own.

Classic 90s alt/dance album. I pretty much enjoyed every song on this one. Very vibey and chill. Would go hard live 👍

Awesome album with some great beats, very danceable

30 odd years and still as fresh as when it came out. Classic

Alternative dance, neo-psychedelia. Muy agradable.

The band name, and perhaps even the title of the album, would have you thinking you’re about to listen to a sludge/doom metal band (or something adjacent), but this could not be risibly further from the truth. This album is full of bright, sunny tracks that mix forms of dance/soul/blues/funk/jazz/psychedelic! These songs have one feeling as if they’re floating through the summer air. Something rather striking about this record is how “modern” much of it sounds. A few tracks would have one thinking this was released within the 2000s as opposed to the 1990s. Perhaps this quality can be explained by the album’s solid production, and elements of the songs’ composition. This album merits a 5/5.

God, Screamadelica was genuinely one of the craziest albums i have ever listened to. It would generally tend to flip flop between a 60s psychedelic rock album or it would be a drug induced electronica album. And i absolutely love it for that. The electronic bits managed to find that balance between weird and cool and the choir parts were also a really cool addition. Due to it's nature, it was also an album that really kept me on my toes with every song managing to provide some new element. This album is just super weird and that's why i love it. Best Song: Come Together Worst Song: Inner Flight

Really good actually. Very good electronic bits and very good psych bits. Just an amazing project. Very cool!

### **In-Depth Review of "Screamadelica" by Primal Scream** "Screamadelica," the third studio album by Primal Scream, released in 1991, stands as a seminal work in the history of British music. This review delves into its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, and assesses its strengths and weaknesses. #### **Lyrics** The lyrics of "Screamadelica" are a mixture of hedonism, spirituality, and introspection. The album opens with "Movin' on Up," which features optimistic and almost gospel-like lyrics: "I was blind, now I can see / You made a believer out of me." This sets the tone for a transformative journey. Tracks like "Higher Than the Sun" reflect the escapism and drug culture of the era: "My brightest star's my inner light, let it guide me." The use of celestial imagery conveys a sense of transcendence, indicative of the era's rave culture. "Loaded," built around a sample of Peter Fonda's speech from "The Wild Angels," is more straightforward in its hedonistic message: "We wanna be free to do what we wanna do." The lyrics on "Screamadelica" aren't always profound but serve their purpose in capturing the spirit of the time. They resonate with themes of freedom, release, and the search for deeper meaning, even if that meaning is often found through altered states of consciousness. #### **Music** Musically, "Screamadelica" is a melting pot of genres, blending rock, house, dub, gospel, and psychedelia into a cohesive whole. The album's production was heavily influenced by DJ culture and the burgeoning rave scene. 1. **"Movin' on Up"**: This track combines rock and gospel, with jangly guitars and soulful backing vocals creating an anthemic sound. 2. **"Slip Inside This House"**: A cover of the 13th Floor Elevators song, it merges psychedelic rock with a driving, danceable beat, showcasing the album's genre-blending prowess. 3. **"Don't Fight It, Feel It"**: Here, house music takes center stage with a pulsating beat and repetitive lyrics that encourage surrender to the rhythm. 4. **"Higher Than the Sun"**: A standout track with its lush, ambient soundscapes and dub influences. The remix by The Orb emphasizes the track's otherworldly qualities. 5. **"Loaded"**: Built on a sample from The Rolling Stones' "I'm Free," it transforms into a dance-floor anthem with its infectious groove and celebratory horns. The album's diversity in musical styles is one of its greatest strengths, showcasing Primal Scream's ability to synthesize different influences into a new, innovative sound. #### **Production** The production of "Screamadelica" was groundbreaking, with Andrew Weatherall playing a crucial role. The production techniques employed were innovative for the time, incorporating elements of dub, ambient, and house music into the rock framework. 1. **Sampling and Remixing**: Weatherall's use of sampling, particularly on "Loaded," transformed the track from its rock roots into a dance anthem. The use of samples was not just decorative but integral to the album's structure. 2. **Layering and Soundscapes**: Tracks like "Higher Than the Sun" and "Inner Flight" use dense layering of sounds, creating rich, immersive soundscapes. The use of reverb, delay, and other effects gives these tracks a dreamy, expansive quality. 3. **Live and Electronic Fusion**: The album seamlessly blends live instrumentation with electronic elements. The drumming on "Movin' on Up" contrasts with the programmed beats of "Don't Fight It, Feel It," yet the transition between these styles feels natural. The production on "Screamadelica" was a significant factor in its critical success, setting new standards for how rock and electronic music could intersect. #### **Themes** "Screamadelica" explores themes of freedom, ecstasy, spirituality, and transformation. The album captures the essence of the early '90s rave culture, with its focus on communal experiences and altered states of consciousness. 1. **Freedom and Liberation**: Songs like "Loaded" and "Movin' on Up" celebrate personal freedom and liberation, both from societal constraints and personal limitations. 2. **Ecstasy and Transcendence**: Many tracks focus on the pursuit of ecstasy, not just in the sense of drug use but in the broader quest for transcendental experiences. "Higher Than the Sun" is emblematic of this theme, suggesting a spiritual awakening. 3. **Introspection and Transformation**: Despite the hedonistic overtones, there's a reflective quality to tracks like "Damaged," which deals with themes of loss and healing. The album's closing track, "Shine Like Stars," offers a sense of redemption and hope. These themes resonate throughout the album, providing a narrative that mirrors the highs and lows of the rave experience. #### **Influence** "Screamadelica" had a profound influence on the music industry, particularly in the UK. It bridged the gap between rock and electronic music, paving the way for other bands to explore similar fusions. Its success demonstrated that dance music could achieve critical and commercial acclaim. 1. **Cultural Impact**: The album became synonymous with the early '90s rave culture, capturing the zeitgeist of a generation seeking new forms of expression and community. 2. **Musical Influence**: Bands like The Chemical Brothers, Oasis, and Underworld have cited "Screamadelica" as an influence. Its blending of genres helped to break down barriers between different musical styles. 3. **Production Techniques**: The innovative production techniques used on the album influenced countless producers and artists. The use of sampling, remixing, and genre blending became more widespread in the years following its release. #### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Genre Blending**: The seamless integration of rock, house, dub, and gospel creates a unique and innovative sound. 2. **Production Quality**: Andrew Weatherall's production is masterful, employing cutting-edge techniques that were ahead of their time. 3. **Cohesive Themes**: The album's exploration of freedom, ecstasy, and transformation gives it a thematic depth that resonates on multiple levels. 4. **Cultural Significance**: Captures the essence of early '90s rave culture, making it a historical artifact as well as a musical achievement. 5. **Diverse Soundscapes**: Each track offers something different, from the anthemic "Movin' on Up" to the ambient "Higher Than the Sun." **Cons:** 1. **Inconsistent Lyrics**: While the lyrics often serve the music well, they can be simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth in places. 2. **Cohesion**: The wide range of styles, while a strength, can also make the album feel disjointed at times. 3. **Dated Elements**: Some production choices, particularly those heavily tied to the rave culture of the early '90s, may sound dated to modern listeners. 4. **Experimental Tracks**: Some tracks, such as "Inner Flight," may not appeal to all listeners due to their experimental nature. ### **Conclusion** "Screamadelica" by Primal Scream is a landmark album that successfully merges diverse musical styles into a cohesive and innovative whole. Its exploration of themes like freedom, ecstasy, and transformation, combined with Andrew Weatherall's groundbreaking production, makes it a seminal work in the history of British music. While it has some lyrical and cohesion weaknesses, its cultural and musical impact remains significant. "Screamadelica" is more than an album; it's a journey through the highs and lows of the early '90s rave culture, capturing the spirit of an era and influencing generations to come.

This is really quite good. Had no expectations going in -- and I just thought it was great from front to back. I'm not sure why the two dub odysseys "Come Together" and "Screamadelica" are greyed out on Spotify, but it's worth the 20 minutes to find them and play them back to back. Such a vibe.

I loved this album, very much.

This is an album that I listened to for the first time only a couple of years ago or so. I’ve revisited it occasionally and every time I do I like it more and more. It’s definitely a classic, influential album and it’s a joy to listen to, pure fun from beginning to end. It’s just the right mix of dance and psychedelic, with sprinkles of classic rock and soul. Sublime.

Still as good, if not better, than it was at the time. Easily in my top 10 and has been since it was released. A truly life changing and life affirming album.

Wonderfully fun listen

Jeg knuselsker den her plade, man kan bare høre rock blive til elektronisk musik i real time

Alternative dance, neo-psychedelia. Muy agradable.

What a wild album, full of bangers. Enjoyable end to end. I love it!

I don't know when I would have given this album a proper listen if not for this service. I was blown away by the sound, concept, and influence Screamadelica has had on almost every genre of music since its release/

Brutal

Loved this album. Best one of the challenge so far. I've saved it to my favourites

Fantastic!! That's all.

"We are gonna have a good time, we are gonna have a party!" This is a wonderful album. "Loaded" is a real masterpiece. Had a good time while listening!

This is fun and funky. Reminds me of the Gorillaz if they were more indie pop.

Jams

Really amazing great find!! Sonic wonderland

new, fresh, exciting! git it downloaded fr fr the first track does pack massive youth pastor vibes tho lol

Classic album that's both amazing to listen to and hugely influential, aka the exact thing that should be on this list. The way they integrated house and rock was revolutionary and works so well.

I have to score this from the heart. This album was such a huge part of my life from the time Loaded came out in 1990 through to being at Uni in the mid 90's and the album getting played at every house party very week, even 4-5 years after it was released.

Seminal album of the '90s

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