The Primitives: Lovely

One of the first songs I had ever learned on guitar was The Primitives’ hit song, “Crash.” I had a classical guitar (nylon strings) and a friend of mine taught it to me, explaining that it was the only song SHE knew on the guitar. Although I kind of doubted the authenticity of what she taught me, I didn’t care because it was something new to learn.

My friend and I had grown up together, listening to basically the same music. She introduced me to The Primitives, and when I bought their breakthrough album, Lovely, I lent it to her for about week. When I got it back, I was devastated because she returned it in such horrible shape. The vinyl was all scratched up from God knows what, and the record sleeve was torn as if she tossed the record back in, instead of sliding it in gently.

I had already given her the speech about “taking care of my stuff,” but because I had a HUGE crush on her, I let it slide. Needless to say, though, that was the last time she borrowed records from me!

To make matters even worse, my copy of Lovely was an import, so I paid the extra bucks for it. GAHHH!!!!!

Ok, I’m over it… really, I am.

The Primitives were formed around 1985 in England, taking on the alternative rock sound that became so popular in the late 80’s through bands like Jesus and The Mary Chain and Transvision Vamp (wow remember them?). Fronted by singer Tracy Tracy (she replaced the original lead singer, Keiron McDermott), the band gained in notoriety when Morrissey (The Smiths’ singer/crooner/all around depressing guy) expressed his admiration for them.

Sound-wise, one can describe them as pop with fuzz guitars and a singer who sounds as angelic and innocent as the day you were born. Tracy Tracy has never been touted as an incredible vocalist, but she has a style that was so utterly cute… well, you can’t help but like her.

Check out this live performance and hopefully you can see what I mean about her charisma. She doesn’t do much but stand there, but man alive she’s cute to watch. Ouch. Make sure you hear the really off-pitch note at 1:42.

But that’s Rock N’ Roll for you. The Primitives have been compared to The Ramones for their musical characteristics of simplicity, pop-sensibility, and guitar fuzz. I totally dig the guitar fuzz.

Lovely was released in 1987 (some sites say 1988) and scored three singles: “Thru The Flowers,” “Crash,” and “Out of Reach.” All three singles hit the top 100 in the UK, with the second two reaching the top 30. “Crash” climbed to number three here in the states, and would remain their signature song. In the mid 90’s, the song got another breath of life when it was featured in the movie Dumb and Dumber.

Over twenty years later, Lovely is still a joy to hear. There are a total of fifteen songs, but the running time is only about 36 minutes. That gives you an idea of how concise these tunes are.

There’s no question that the album is full of catch pop songs, with a couple of ear-candy songs thrown in to boot. “Shadow” is a raga-influenced 3:30 rush that always makes an interesting listen. “Ocean Blue” is a beautiful piece with a New Order-ish bassline that gives you the sense of peace that only calm waters can offer. The last track, “Buzz Buzz Buzz” reminds me of the sound that Love & Rockets brought along with them in their records like Express and Earth, Sun, Moon.

For about 99% of the time, though, Lovely is pure pop bliss. Tracy Tracy’s vocals bring a smoothness and melodic sense to the pop-alternative-punk rumblings… she even manages to pull off the rhyme between “on” and “person” in the second track, “Spacehead.” You never notice that the two words don’t frikkin’ rhyme.

The only complaint I have is why, oh why, did someone else have to sing other than Tracy Tracy? “Carry Me Home” is a fine song, indeed, but without Tracy Tracy’s vocals, I usually skip the track. I have no idea who’s singing on the song, but dude… DON’T.

I’ll never understand why bands do this. I mean, there’s an obvious lead singer, why go and ruin it when your vocals don’t quite match up to what’s already there?

That aside, though, Lovely is one of those treasures of the 80’s. Melody, style, and a production that remained true to the sound, perhaps this record was a foreshadow of things to come. For those of you that have the record, dig it up and spin it again… for those that don’t, take a listen to the Dig-It section below and discover or remember. Either way, you’re in for a good listen.

Buy The Primitives on Amazon

Your Dig-It Downloads: (right click on link to download)

Download: Crash
Download: Thru the Flowers
Download: Dreamwalk Baby

Popularity: 2% [?]

Related Articles

• No Related Post