New music: Northern Primitive - Self-titled
Northern Primitive's self-released, self-titled debut is a fuzzed-out, spaced-out good time, and one of my favorite discoveries of 2011 so far. Raw and ragged in the best ways, catchy but a little woozy, melodic enough to cut through the noise but still a gorgeous lo-fi mess.
There are moments that recall Minneapolis 80s college rock's greatest hits -- but maybe more stoned. "Highway" is a road song for midnight drives, jacked-up on caffeine and rumbling across neverending interstates. "Soul Machines" is the would-be anthem. "Stay Low" starts slow but closes the album out with a punishing, head-banging assault. Clocking in at under 30 minutes it leaves you wanting more - just like a good record should. My new favorite band of the moment.
Check out "Space Traveller", then immediately go download the whole album.
Northern Primitive - Space Traveller
(P.S. - is it just me or does the album cover look a lot like The Moondoggies' Don't Be A Stranger?)