Excellent folk rock CD. Pick up a copy today!
author: RadioIndy Staff
“Primitive Spirit" is a creative, organic folk rock CD by The Primatives. The tracks on the CD are very acoustic, spiritual and earthy. Various percussive instruments and flute fills are nicely used to add depth to the sound of the primarily clean guitar sound. The strength of the CD lies in the meaningful songwriting that is brought to life by this distinctive organic sound, combined with the tasteful yet complex 3-part harmonies. Track 6, called Pyare, has a typical sound of the CD, and is one of our favorite tracks because the harmonies and flute fills blend particularly well on this track. The guitar work throughout the CD is impressive, especially the acoustic guitar licks in Sorry. The CD breathes fresh life into a very 60s folk rock sound that will remind you of bands such as Crosby Stills Nash and Young and The Grateful Dead. If you enjoy folk rock, especially the legendary folk rock artists of the 60s, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!
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Beautiful flowing, smooth acoustic & electric soulful tunes.
author: Douglas Patrick Donoughe
Finally, the long awaited follow-up to 2001's The Lovers Of Kali Yuga! I'm very impressed with this album. Even though I've already known The Primatives were great, this record serves up such strongly produced and menacingly tranquil interpretations. Primitive Spirit is a truly spectacular offering. It stays true to its name -- no overblown theatrics or flash-pan modernities. But really it's not primitive in a musical sense. Well, I mean, it is primitive in that it presents us with a no-yucko, no-gimmicks, solid set of straight-forward and heartfelt folk-rock-acoustic-electric-world music, but no one would claim that the material is underdeveloped.
Lyrics for me are the key to great music and The Primatives deliver in this category for sure. This album is the one that asks the important question, "Who's been livin' you?" For fans of the straightforward (such as myself) there are plentiful insights such as "all our lives we yearn; both ends of the candle burn," and "we're never allowed to escape what we say or do." For fans of Dylan's literary approach, there are sprawling narrative songs like Sam And Ravi in the Land of Glory and iou. These are deep songs about life, love, the state we're in, and the journeys therein. Artfully written. I feel like Jesse is one of the few artists who writes things that I can actually understand on a literal level. What I mean by that is when I listen to Tryin' or Simple Love I think I'm getting Jesse's actual message. You can't claim that with 99% of the artists out there. People usually cake their music in pure poetics. Poetics are important, but there's a line to cross where you go from having sensical songs to having word jumbles.
This albums has been perfect for use during one of my latest fancies -- taking walks through mostly-deserted non-residential suburban areas in the dead of night during the tail-end of autumn. The shinning harmonies, flavorful instrumentations and expressive tunes are tastey additions to the calm, existential nighttime. When I let the words fall away the songs gain a new life. The pure aesthetics and music of the songs seem to have their own story to tell, no lie. There's so much interesting stuff. There're songs like Pyare which seem to suggest a deep inner-peace, and songs like Friend which definetly have a powerful excitement to them. Time Has Come, Sorry, iou, those songs have a particular presence, smooth but troubled. Simple Love is definetly one of my favorite tracks. It's like this crazy electric-lounge groove, with anguished, meandering vocals. Another great song is Sam And Ravi in the Land Of Glory which is very reminiscent of The Grateful Dead and certain CSNY recordings. But it's not like a copy-cat, it's done very aptly as a peer, the same way that back in the 60s you'd have artists do a song a certain way because they appreciate someone else on their scene.
I wish I could impart the style of the album in writing. It's nice and homely, for sure, but really powerful too. A lot of these tracks are extensively anthemic, or at least they have a kind of anthemic undertone. It's like if Bruce Springsteen acoustified songs such as Born To Run and Badlands. Tame but powerful is the only way I can think to describe it. I mean, the music is very relaxing and it'd be perfect to just zone out or wind yourself down. But at the same time there are very strong sentiments, like an unspoiled pond with fish fighting beneath the surface... or something.
I could say more about how meaningful songs like Friends and Livin' are to me (Livin' is an essential messege) but I don't want to give everybody too much to read. Truly a worthwhile album to hear and experience. It'll make you feel like you're floating towards enlightenment while on a nature walk. Totally honest music.
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