Primal Scream / RTX

“I Want You” / “Nature’s Way”
Split 12”
White Noise

The resurgence of vinyl records over the last few years has brought with it a large number of reissues, making it infinitely easier to track down records that were long out of print and unattainable due to their astronomical prices. But there’s also been a glut of 7” and 12” releases, many of them spontaneous one-offs, which have been largely marginal but still essential for completists. Recorded on a whim while touring the UK during the winter of 2008, the Primal Scream “I Want You”/ RTX “Nature’s Way” 12” split, available on Long Beach-based label White Noise, sees each band covering ’60s garage cuts: Primal Scream’s mashing of the Troggs’ “I Want You” proves that despite being out of form since Evil Heat, the band is still capable of knocking you on your ass with sheer brute force. Bobby Gillespie’s vocals have an urgency that hasn’t been heard in a while, and the band’s pure guitar squall dances perfectly around its rhythm section. Meanwhile, RTX’s offering—“Nature’s Way” by the Jimi Hendrix-dubbed Randy California—has a warmth you can feel through the speakers. It’s not infinitely cleaner than Primal Scream’s track, but it’s not drenched in squeal, either, allowing reverb elements such as the sax and vocoder to stand out rather than get washed out. Plus, Jennifer Herrema’s vocals tickle the ears. You could say that this is just another 12” for both bands’ true fans, but really, it’s a nice addition to the collection.

PLAYWHITENOISE.COM

Tags: album review, Music, primal scream, rtx, white noise