Primal Scream

Primal Scream

Now officially a "supergroup" and "the only British rock & roll band that matters anymore" according to the English press, Bobby Gillespie and Co. should by all rights be riding the resurgence of squalling guitar rock. Tough break for them that they've morphed into an electro clash version of the Stooges by way of the MC5. Their previous release, 2000's XTRMNTR, birthed a politicized scream of increasing decibel intensities, often resulting in a synaptic meringue fusing slatternly six-strings with ominous, paranoiac beats, and Bobsessed lyrical wipeouts. Evil Heat, then, feels suspiciously like XTRMNTR outtakes, which isn't half as bad as it sounds; there's a sense of cohesion to the proceedings, and nothing, wisely, sounds remotely like the gossamer bliss-takes of Screamadelica. Instead, there's the whipcord electronic snap of first single "Miss Lucifer" (the bonus DVD contains the video), during which guitarist Throb's metallic solos are looped into truly freakish shrieks and caterwauls while My Bloody Valentiner Kevin Shields makes scary noises stage left. Standout "Some Velvet Morning" (co-voiced by Kate Moss!) has the sexy, writhing coil of a randy asp, while both "Rise" -- rechristened from "Bomb the Pentagon" -- and "City" mine Detroit murk for hazy, dopey grooves that recall the best (or worst) of 1994's Rocks put through a malfunctioning shredder. While we're at it, isn't that former Jesus & Mary Chain's feudalistic sibling Jim Reid shouting death treats on scalawag track "Detroit"? Destined to be underrated while Black Rebel Motorcycle Club steals the show, the bastards.