Primal Scream - Can't Go Back
[B-Unique]

Primal Scream are an unpredictable bunch. On one album they give us cutting-edge music bursting with exhilerating experimentation, that will find its way into top 100 classic album lists for eternity, only to bash out a quick-buck retro rock homage for the next. Where the band are going on new record 'Beautiful Future' is anyone's guess, but as far as earlier indications go, the band are returning to the better half of their split back catalogue judging from single 'Can't Go Back'.

On an instant-listening basis the song is thankfully distant from the Rolling Stones pastiche, but by Primal Scream standards fairly safe - as though they've taken parts of all their most hyped songs and merged them. The quasi-Kraut fusion a la 'XTRMNTR' is here (albeit down-sized and more pop-friendly), the bassline is upfront to please the Mani fans, the lyrics are drug-inspired ("stuck a needle in my arm, stuck it in my baby's heart") and there is a sleazy synthy pop-punk sound doing its thing.

This isn't 'Screamadelica', 'Vanishing Point' or 'XTRMNTR', but Primal Scream sure can write a great alt-pop-rock track without even trying - this needs to be heard live.