Earth - Primitive And Deadly review
| Band: | Earth |
| Album: | Primitive And Deadly |
| Style: | Psychedelic rock |
| Release date: | September 02, 2014 |
| A review by: | Auntie Sahar |
01. Torn By The Fox Of The Crescent Moon
02. There Is A Serpent Coming
03. From The Zodiacal Light
04. Even Hell Has Its Heroes
05. Rooks Across The Gates
06. Badgers Bane [vinyl bonus]
Earth require little introduction for fans of drone. Their debut album has become so legendary in the scene that even Stephen O'Malley (a legend in his own right) was inspired to start a project named after one of its tracks. However, the band demonstrated soon after that they were never content to sit in this one style, and have been consistently reinventing themselves ever since. 2014's Primitive And Deadly only continues this trend, further proving that Earth aren't running out of the tricks in their hat anytime soon.
Coming off of the psychedelic dabblings of their past few albums, Primitive And Deadly sees Earth retaining some of the qualities from each, but with a much thicker, denser delivery, "Torn By The Fox Of The Crescent Moon" easily being one of the heaviest tracks the band have done in years. A very strong bluesy vibe runs throughout the album as well, especially on "Even Hell Has Its Heroes," which really helps to create a mood reminiscent of classic psychedelic rock. The guitar and bass hold down a steady rhythm, while the guitar, taking the lead role, floats freely wherever it pleases, in a very simplistic delivery that nonetheless suggests some kind of grander structure lurking within.
But of course, perhaps the most notable feature of Primitive And Deadly is the presence of some (highly talented) guest vocalists! Mark Lanegan (ex Queens Of The Stone Age) lends his pipes to "Rooks Across The Gates" and (my personal favorite) "There Is A Serpent Coming." Once again, on the latter track especially, this bluesy feeling has a big presence, with Lanegan's vocals having a very deep, old time feel to them, almost as though they're telling a story. Meanwhile, Rabia Qazi belts it out the beautiful "From The Zodiacal Light," sounding strangely similar to Jex Thoth's Jessica Bowen and having the sort of relaxed tone that perfectly complements the music.
With Primitive And Deadly, Earth have proven themselves capable (if they hadn't already) of something not many bands can accomplish: eight albums, none of which suck or can be called shit. Always inventive and never satisfied with staying in one place with their sound, Dylan Carlson and company have created a multitude of personalities for themselves that are always enjoyable from one perspective or another. Primitive And Deadly is yet another evolution in this process, seemingly taking the more mellow nature of the previous three albums and making it heavier and more structured, turning it into a bluesy psychedelic rock of sorts. If you've been a loyal fan of Earth for all these years, or just a big psychedelic fan in general, don't pass this one up.
Check out "From The Zodiacal Light" right here.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Auntie Sahar | 30.08.2014
Comments
| PocketMetal Posts: 750 |
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989  |
Written by PocketMetal on 30.08.2014 at 20:05 Hell yeah man, totally adds a new dimension to the music. When I saw that note on their Bandcamp page before listening that said they would "transform the traditionally free ranging meditations of Earth into something approaching traditional pop structures" I was afraid the guest vocals would make the music sound less like Earth and more like typical pop rock, but I was pleasantly proven wrong!
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Alex F Posts: 3519  |
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Alex F on 30.08.2014 at 22:40 Well it depends on what you're looking for, really, but I think a guy of your tastes will definitely score it around 8 material. I think this might be a good relief for people who didn't enjoy the AODDOL albums too much, as, like I said, it's a little heavier and more focused with its delivery.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Crème fraiche Posts: 703  |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
I think it's a bit of a stretch to say none of their material sucks or can be called shit. I haven't listened to this yet but I personally consider Earth a very inconsistent band that has recently done little to impress. The Angels and Demons albums felt dull, aimless, and ultimately anticlimactic. On the other hand, an album like The Bees managed to perfectly capture the Old West/small town/desert vibes. I prefer Earth in their storytelling mode - when the music acts as a narrative rather than simply background noise. How this album was written, either as a soundtrack or a lullaby, will determine whether or not I enjoy it.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 30.08.2014 at 23:28 Opinions, opinions  Well as I said here, the tracks that Mark Lanegan guests on really have a bluesy vibe that feels like an old grandpa sitting on his porch telling stories while playing guitar, so I think you'll find it decent at the very least.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Rulatore Posts: 1108  |
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Rulatore on 31.08.2014 at 00:35 Sorry, not really understanding this question
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Rulatore Posts: 1108 |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 31.08.2014 at 01:20 Sorry, I meant "what ALBUM", looks like my keyboard ate it 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Rulatore on 31.08.2014 at 01:22 What Earth albums? Well, I'm sure some people might say that some are dismissible, but I enjoy all of them personally. I'd say to just start with the debut (Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version) and work your way forward from there. The band are known as drone pioneers, but that's really their only album that I'd say is pure drone, the others either blend some other influences in or just aren't drone at all.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Rulatore Posts: 1108 |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 31.08.2014 at 01:33 Yes. I'll try it, thanks 
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by [user id=142921] on 31.08.2014 at 07:19 Lucky! I saw the flyer for the North American tour, closest they come to me is Atlanta (pretty damn far, haha)
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Draugen Posts: 500  |
I'm really digging "From the Zodiacal Light". I've never given any of Earth's albums a chance before but I will most likely do so with this one.
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9155  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 30.08.2014 at 23:28 I think it's a bit of a stretch to say Earth's music is shit.  Even when Earth is "off" and is just background noise it's hardly offensive. I can definitely see and understand someone getting bored by it, but to call it shit? It's funny that you find them inconsistent because I think the exact opposite Opinions r weird man.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 31.08.2014 at 16:35 I didn't say they were shit - all I said was that it's a stretch to say their albums "can't be called shit" or that you "can't say that they suck". At that point it seems like the reviewer is separating opinion from fact. I don't find any of their material offensively bad, because when they're "off" as you call it, they're dismissible. I know how much you and Che like these guys so any negative comments will be met with "opinions lol" but if you're going to make bold claims about a band's quality and consistency, you might want to keep in mind they released duds like the Angels and Demons albums.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.08.2014 at 16:47 Well, a review is a personal opinion above all, is it not? Those "duds" you speak of (once again, an opinion) were actually pretty well composed and immersive to me, so when I say I don't really think any of the band's releases can be said to suck, I hope that'll be taken more as a personal opinion than as me presenting some sort of objective fact.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Auntie Sahar on 03.09.2014 at 23:59 Reviews can be both opinionated and factual. "...Earth have proven themselves capable (if they hadn't already) of something not many bands can accomplish: eight albums, none of which suck or can be called shit." That sounds more like you're trying to pass off opinion as fact to me.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Auntie Sahar Drone Empress Posts: 5989 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 05.09.2014 at 03:43 I recall Doc beginning his review of the latest High On Fire album with a similar sentence. It's simply my way of stating that to me the band have been incredibly consistent and inventive all across their discog, no more, no less. Of course, interpretation of what I say will ultimately fall upon the reader, and that's something really beyond my control.
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 05.09.2014 at 03:43 That only happens if the reader himself thinks that reviews are something more than an opinion. Which is obviously not true.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 05.09.2014 at 13:50 Evidently my interpretation of the review isn't one others share, but I think it's a cop-out when people throw out the "opinion" word to defend what appears to be a factual statement. Reviews aren't necessarily purely opinionated. Not that this is what we should be discussing in this thread - I didn't even think bringing it up would bother anyone.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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