The Horrors - Primary Colours

Gemischtes Doppel (VIII)

Auf ihrem zweiten Album pendeln The Horrors, ein Quintett aus Southend, England, zwischen Shoegaze und Garagenpunk und dürften aufgrund der düsteren Stimmung auch mitunter unangenehme Gothikrock Assoziationen hervorrufen. An den Reglern von „Primary Colours“ saßen Geoff Barrow von Portishead, Craig Silvery und der Regisseur Chris Cunningham, der zum Debüt noch das Skandalvideo zu „Sheen Is A Parasite“ beisteuerte.
„Three Decades“ liefert den oszillierenden My Bloody Valentine-Gitarrensound, „Who Can Say“ muss aufgrund seiner scheppernden Drums und der verzerrten Gitarren einfach von The Jesus & Mary Chain sein und dann spuckt die Erinnerungsmaschinerie auch noch Namen wie Joy Division, The Velvet Underground, Killing Joke, The Psychedelic Furs, Spaceman 3 und The Cure in ihren düstersten Stunden aus.

Of course, it would be foolish to declare The Horrors new members of the musical elite and Primary Colours a landmark release - that’s something to be decided with the luxury of hindsight. For now, Primary Colours is a reminder that young British bands can actually progress to brilliant new heights, and perhaps, just perhaps, the occasional surprise in these media saturated times isn’t as endangered a beast as previously thought.
(drownedinsound.com)

„Sea Within A Sea“ Video

That's because there is a special thrill in witnessing a band take such a massive step up on their second album. Think of Nirvana following up the cheerless sludge-punk of 'Bleach' with 'Nevermind'. Or Neil Young outflanking his bloodless debut with 'Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere'. Or The Strokes transcending the… OK, maybe not the last one.

But what do you think? What are the most jaw-dropping second-album transformations in music history? And does The Horrors' 'Primary Colours' deserve to be counted among their number?
(nme.com)

„Who Can Say“ Video