PRIMITONS
PRIMITONS (1985) DON'T GO AWAY (1986) HAPPY ALL... (1987)
The two prime movers in Birmingham's Primitons are drummer/accordionist Leif Bondarenko and singer/guitarist/organist Mats Roden, a Swede who somehow wound up living in Alabama. Following a long stint in Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits (a promising but gimmicky local adaptation of new wave), the pair formed the all-pop Primitons with singer/guitarist Brad Dorset and non performing lyricist Stephanie Truelove Wright. Joined by a guest vocalist, the trio recorded a sturdy and attractive seven-song debut, produced with Mitch Easter. Primitons is a pop record, but with the same sort of gravity and lyrical depth as the Windbreakers. "All My Friends" offers a rich R.E.M.-influenced rush; "She Sleeps" puts a gothic tale of death and grieving to simple music strengthened by high, lonesome singing; "You'll Never Know" is an ominous whisper about nuclear destruction. Bassist Don Tinsley replaced Dorset; the trio (plus Wright) issued an ambitious and spectacular Anglo-pop 12-inch, "Don't Go Away," which covers the Left Banke's "Something on My Mind" as one of its two B-sides. Happy All the Time, which boasts "Don't Go Away" and other similarly well-executed numbers, is a winning collection and shows what a fine band the Primitons are. Layers of guitars and vocals are the main ingredients; subtlety and diversity are a bonus; talented songwriting and offbeat lyrics provide the solid foundation. Tim Lee (Windbreakers) and Tim Boykin (Carnival Season/Shame Idols/Lolas) guest. Trouser Press
Primitons
All My Friends / Five Lines / Seeing Is Believing / She Sleeps / You'll Never Know / Stars / City People
Don't Go Away
Don't Go Away / Something On My Mind / Come What May
Happy All The Time
On Or Off The Bus / Deception / Don't Go Away / Gabriel / Happy / Riddle / You Are Leaving / Pope / Little Wail
8 comments:
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I just found this site recently and it seems like you are posting my record collection! Actually both what I have and love (Primitons for example) and some of the few stuff that I have still been looking for.
Great site.
Ace
I am originally from Birmingham, and old enough to have seen the Primitons many, many times. I have had this EP (and all the prior and subsequent Roden / Bondarenko releases) for years, and despaired of ever getting it on mp3. Thank you for putting it on your site, HOWEVER, I don't seem to be able to unzip the archive, as it keeps asking me for a decryption passphrase. Would you be so kind as to allow me what that is? My e-mail is mccrary@clemson.edu. Thank you again for posting this!
Thanks for posting this. I have 2 of the Primitons records on vinyl, but didn't have any easy way to get them to CD or Ipod.
One of the greatest shows I ever witnessed was the Primitons and Sex Clark Five at the Nick. How I miss that scene.
thanks for sharing possibly the best thing to ever come out of alabama
who is the guest vocalist ?
the release from 1985 might be the greatest thing I ever heard...if I find something as good in the next 30 years / 10,000 + albums-eps etc I'll let you know
Never heard before of this really great band . Thank you !
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