Five Star: A look at albums
that are so good that they impress even the most cynical of critics. Very
few albums are superior enough to obtain a five star rating but occasionally
a band slips through the river of mediocrity that is the modern music industry
and they produce an album that restores our faith in the future of rock!
This series is a look at such albums.
Let's face it--5 star albums don't come
out every month! So from time to time we will take a look back and revisit
some of the five star albums of the past that you may have missed the first
time around. This month we take a look at the album that landed our "Album
of the Year" honors in 2001, "Underneath the Surface" from PrimeSTH.
Some who have actually heard the album have gone as far as calling it "a
perfect album" and that's not far off the mark. This is an incredible collection
of songs from a phenomenal band. Sadly, their American label--Giant Records--really
dropped the ball with this one. This album contained potential hit after
hit but the label just didn't have the muscle to get this band noticed.
PrimeSTH are back at it again, they are
free from their deal with Giant and are looking to find a new label that
will give them the push that they deserve. It's an opportune time to repost
this review since the band will be in the US this spring showcasing for
various labels. Let's hope that someone is smart enough to sign these guys
up and then make them the stars they deserve to be! We hope to catch up
with them at one of their US shows for a new special feature but until
then you can still pick up a copy of "Underneath The Surface" to see what
all the fuss is about. A link to purchase the CD online follows the review
(just check out the fan reviews posted at the store and see that it isn't
just us that love this band).
Original Review by antiGUY
Note: I originally gave
this CD a 4 1/2 star rating but I'm still playing it two years later and
I have only grown more fond of it, it now carries the 5 star rating it
originally deserved! -aG
Wondering where the new hotbed of rock
is? You might be surprised when I say that its Sweden! Thats right-Sweden-the
land of ABBA and Ace of Base. 2001 has given us a few exceptional rockin
exports from that mysterious land of blond bombshells and great beer. On
the heavier side of the spectrum we got two exceptional releases from Opeth
and Lost Horizon, now on the alternative rock side we have a great new
disc from Prime STH.
PrimeSTH are the latest Swedish rock export
to hit the U.S. shores. They come courtesy of Giant Records/Reprise and
after listening to their U.S. debut it becomes quickly apparent how they
attracted the attention of U.S. record labels. They have that melodic modern
rock sound that put Bush on the map but they also delve into other areas
like Industrial and straight ahead rock.
The disc captured my attention and respect
from the first moment. The guitar work on the opening track Underneath
The Surface has a catchy groove that should endear the band to modern
rock radio. Whats more impressive are the vocals; PrimeSTHs lead singer
Noa has a great modern rock sound that delivers power without having to
resort to screaming. You only have to listen to the first three tracks
to get hooked. The chorus to I Dont Envy You is down right infectious.
With the next track, Im Stupid they take things down a notch and show
that they are just as comfortable performing a ballad as the full out rockers.
What can I say? The songs are hits without even trying to be. PrimeSTH
may finally make amends to the world for those other Swedish exports ABBA
and Ace of Base.
CD Info
PrimeSTH Underneath The Surface
Rating:
Tracks: Underneath The Surface
I Dont Envy You
Im Stupid (Dont Worry Bout me)
Believe
In My Head
From the Inside
Even the Score (No One Else)
My Evil Friend
She
Let Me Bleed
24 Song
Posted by lil_terror16:
great album im looking for downloads of im stupid.
Posted by TaRt:
PRIMEsth is a freakin awesome band, I've been in love with them since the first time I heard em, and it's sad to see them not come out with anything new since they're so damn good.
Posted by TaRt:
PRIMEsth is a freakin awesome band, I've been in love with them since the first time I heard em, and it's sad to see them not come out with anything new since they're so damn good.
Posted by newfoundprimefan:
man i fell in love with them when i found out about them on my trip to germany last year. theyre music is aww!sum! if ne1 wants to talk to me bout them: mycheckeredhat. i dam near killed myself the otherday when i found out i missed the day they were here in socali!
Posted by poet-x:
Great album. Prime is a freakin great band, shame they come from Sweden tho.
Posted by Met7Az:
aww shyt thats right my bad ! Hey you missed a great Festival here in Arizona this past weekend, the Tempe Music Festival and its line up was Ra, Gary Hoey, B-52's , CCR , Project 86, Thieves in the Temple , Outspoken, 30 seconds to Mars, Rail, Trapt, Operatic , Gudamunkas, PowerFlex5 , PH8 , Neveready , to name a few. Someday I'll get off my ass and be a Az connection for you all. Was at Cooperstown shooting the shyt with Alice Cooper a few weeks back, after all these years, he still rocks. Don Dokken was hanging out and word was Halford was supposed to show but didnt while I was there. Anyways hang loose
Posted by aG:
Met - Dude good to see you about. Krokus, I thought they were from Switzerland?? If you forget their image for a minute "Screaming In The Night" was a cool track but then midnight Maniac was the king of cheese. But you're right I'd take even them at their cheeziest over AOB or ABBA. On PRIME, I hope these guys can get a new label that will give them the support they deserve. UTS is one of the best albums from the past few years. ok nuff of that. Cheers,
Posted by Met7Az:
Hey AntiGuy did you forget where Krokus came from too ? Screw ABBA I take Eat the Rich anyday from Krokus over Ace of Base anyday. But its good to see PrimeSTH
