Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie Review

Regarded by many as one of the most innovative British alternative rock bands from the early 80s, Primal Scream did for rock music what Massive Attack and Portishead did for trip hop – they redefined the lines that were typically drawn between rock, pop, and electronica. After Primal Scream arrived on the music scene, a new culture emerged.

Scremadelica, the band’s third album and first commercial success, was released on September 23, 1991. Blending soft rock with deep house, the album gave Primal Scream a certain image – that of the cool acid rock kings- which they never quite managed to escape.

Filmed at London’s Olympia in 2010, Scremadelica Live captures Primal Scream performing their critically acclaimed album for the first time in its entirety. In front of a highly appreciative crowd, the band delivers an outstanding concept show, enhanced by the trippy films of artist Jim Lambie (projected on a large screen behind the band), and featuring a big gospel choir and top-notch brass section,

Screamadelica Live is divided into two contrasting sets. The early “rock and roll” set, included as a bonus, features some of the band’s harder tracks – “Accelerator”, “Country Girl”, “Jailbird”, “Burning Wheel”, “Suicide Bomb”, Shoot Speed/Kill Light”, “Swastika Eyes”, and “Rocks”. The upbeat tempo and grungy guitar solos of “Accelerator”, the strong beats of “Jailbird” and the classic “Swastika Eyes” quickly fire up the crowd here.

The second set is where all the classic tunes are – “Movin’ On Up”, “Slip Inside This House”, Don’t Fight It, Feel It”, “Damaged”, “I’m Comin’ Down”, “Shine Like Stars”, “Inner Fight”, “Higher Than The Sun”, “Loaded”, and “Come Together”. Every song here is a hit, but the ones I believe still sound as fresh as they did when Screamadelica was first released are “I’m Comin’ Down” (terrific sax solo), “Don’t Fight It, Feel It” (Andy Weatherall’s influence is felt the most here), and the downbeat “Higher Than The Sun” (with a fantastic selection of trippy visuals projected on the large screen behind the band). Simply superb.

So, so, so in love with you...

Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Scremadelica Live arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

No surprises here - Eagle Rock Entertainment once again deliver the goods. Filmed with a variety of strategically positioned cameras, Screamadelica Live looks terrific. Detail and clarity are excellent from start to finish and there are absolutely no shadow issues whatsoever. Jim Lambie's films also look fantastic, adding plenty of flavor to the show. Motion-judder is never an issue of concern. The light background noise which some of these live releases occasionally are plagued with is also a non-factor. Color reproduction is solid, with the variety of blues, yellows, reds, and greens looking rich and stable. For the record, there are no transfer specific anomalies to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM 2.0, and English Dolby Digital 5.1. I opted for the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons for the purpose of this review.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track captures beautifully the atmosphere in the venue - the sound has pleasing depth and boasts a solid range of dynamics. The bass is potent and punchy, while the high frequencies are never overdone. There are no annoying overlappings either. The vocals are well balanced with the guitars and brass section, while the occasional crowd noise is never overwhelming.

It seems like the LPCM 2.0 track pushes back substantially some of the brass solos. Quite a few of the songs ("Inner Light" and "Loaded") also sound fairly distant. Also, the unison singing does not have the pleasing organic qualities heard on the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

I tested only two songs with the Dolby Digital 5.1 track - "Come Together" and "Suicide Bomb". Predictably, both sound incredibly flat.

Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making of - the complete "Screamadelica" Classic Albums program. The program contains an abundance of information about the album, its impressive success, the band's innovative sound, etc. Archival footage from various early Primal Scream shows and recent interviews with the band members are also included. In English, with optional English, German, Spanish, and French subtitles. (59 min, 1080i).

• Bonus - nearly 30 minutes of bonus footage not included in the original broadcast version of "Screamadelica" Classic Albums. In English, with optional English, German, Spanish, and French subtitles. (27 min, 1080i).

Primal Scream: Screamadelica, Live Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Screamadelica Live is a terrific Blu-ray release. Not only Primal Scream fans but anyone who followed the 80s music scene will enjoy it. To be honest, it does not feel like the majority of the songs from the album have aged at all. As it is the case with all Eagle Rock Entertainment Blu-ray releases, the presentation is of exceptionally high quality. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.