Sonic Flower Groove is the debut studio album by the Scottish rock band Primal Scream, released on 5 October 1987 by Elevation Records. Mayo Thompson of Red Krayola was the producer of the album, after work with Stephen Street did not please the band.Green, Jim; Aswad, Jem & Neate, Wilson "Primal Scream", Trouser Press, retrieved 2010-07-04 Musically, Sonic Flower Groove features psychedelic, Byrdsy jangle pop, being the only Primal Scream album to feature founding member Jim Beattie (credited as Jim Navajo).
The album sold well enough to reach number 62 on the UK Albums Chart, but performed poorly by major-label standards.Strong, Martin C. (2002) "The Great Rock Discography (6th edition)", Canongate, The disappointment was a major reason for the original Primal Scream splitting up shortly after Sonic Flower Groove, leaving vocalist Bobby Gillespie and the guitar duo of Andrew Innes and Robert "Throb" Young to reorganize the band.
Critical reception
At the time of its release, critical reception was mixed. Underground called it "a real gem of a debut album" and "one that's sure to top all the polls come the end of the year", but others were less impressed. Melody Maker were impressed with "Gentle Tuesday" but said "the rest is not pop. It is dandelion fluff", stating that the album was "swamped with problems" with "no songs, just a dusty pile of dull leftovers".Wilde, Jon (1987) "Primal Scream Sonic Flower Groove", Melody Maker, 3 October 1987
A later AllMusic review called it "one goofy headscratcher of a release, the sound of a band that didn't quite know exactly what to do yet trying to record a big-budget (of sorts) debut album and ending up with little more than a pristine but dull photocopy of Turn! Turn! Turn!". In 2002, the Evening Times stated that it is "now regarded as a retro masterpiece".Middleton, Fraser (2002) "Explosive; THEY SANG ABOUT BOMBING THE PENTAGON, THEN IT HAPPENED. SO WHAT NEXT FOR PRIMAL SCREAM?", Evening Times, 12 December 2002, p. 124
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes. Primal Scream Bobby Gillespie – lead and backing vocals Jim Navajo – 12-string electric guitar Robert Young – bass guitar Andrew Innes – rhythm guitar
Additional personnel Dave Morgan – drums Gavin Skinner – drums Martin Duffy – piano Frank Sweeney – viola
Technical Pat Collier – engineering Helen Backhouse – design Andrew Catlin – cover photography
Charts Chart Peakposition
References
External links