Primitive Language Deliver A Rock Soiree

An album release from Primitive Language brings together some of the best elements of progressive, classic, post, and even some psychedelic rock, all rolled into one fat record that gives the air of a live performance because the energy seems to fluctuate between band members giving this record and electric Feel and an excitable approach.

The Beetle Foot album features outstanding guitar work that changes tones from song to song, at times, giving it layers of drive.

There was definitely a lot of attention to the tones of the instruments throughout this entire record. Everything about it has a thriving energy that makes it feel like everyone involved was feeding off each other's energies the entire time.

This is one of the more addictive attributes of the record as a whole.

The energy level is completely infectious, and it helps the color and vibrancy of the songs come through with a brightness.

You also get elements of jazz, funk, and a vintage, almost 80s pop-rock approach as well.

The record starts with a track called "Slow Glass", and this is an excellent example of the fusion of styles that this band brings to the table.

Not only that, but you get these classic post-rock style vocals that I enjoyed because they're slightly animated and let you pay attention to the lyrics even more.

This is a great track to introduce the record with simply because it does give off certain staples that you will hear throughout the entire record.

Even having said that, this is an album you should listen to all the way through.

There are plenty of surprises around the corners as well as some very eclectic and diverse songwriting, all those still embedded in that sort of post-rock and psych-rock world.

Listening to a few tracks from the record will give you an idea, but won't give you the full spectrum of what the full album has to offer.

While that first track gives you a little bit more of a light-hearted side, songs like "Kraken Time" deliver way more drive with heavier feeling guitars and harder-performed drums.

The drumming on the record is a massive driving point for the whole thing, and I feel like a lot of the band feeds off of that performance in general.

The drummer of the band doesn't just sit in the pocket but instead delivers those grooves with loads of great fills and this sort of liveliness that brings a particular presence to the band.

Each track on this record gives you something a bit different and new.

There's never a dull moment, and by the time you get halfway through, you get a feel for things, but still start to expect the unexpected.

One of my favorite tracks on this record comes through extremely theatrical and almost invasive, which is something I enjoyed because it got me so engaged that I felt like I was in a different atmosphere.

This track is called "Fast Circles" and is actually the closing song of the record.

I particularly love this one because of its theatrical robustness and animated vocals that hit a certain way.

Very memorable performance and also adds to that whole live energy.

This is a pretty big record, and some tracks span a pretty decent length of time, with one in particular that really jams hard called "Schokolade 2", and this one showcases an almost vintage tonality on those guitars and drums, so you have a classic rock vibe through and through.

When I talk about paying attention to the tones of the instruments, this is one of the songs I'm thinking of.

The bass guitar tone in particular is outstanding here. It's got that tube warmth and just a little bit of grit so that it comes through with a bit of a punch.

This song jams out and is actually the longest track on the record, reaching almost 9 Minutes in length.

I loved this because by the time you get to the end of the track, you forget what you were doing.

It just pulls you away from wherever you are and puts you in this great space for 9 minutes of time.

I love records that can pull that off, and it feels like these guys just do it naturally.

I'm not sure if they actually recorded the record live on the floor because I wasn't there, of course.

Even if I'm wrong about how they recorded it, listening to the record makes you want to go see them live because if they can capture that kind of energy and aesthetic on record so well, then seeing them live must be awesome.

With the release of such a well-woven album, we wanted to chat with the band about this release to find out where it actually came from, how it was done, and what may be coming up next for them.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about Beetle Foot! This was a classic rock influenced record with that post-rock approach!  Where did this record come from? 

We had been workshopping ideas that became the songs on the album over the previous year or two, and we picked the ones that seemed to work better on this particular recording.

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different styles to this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

There is a variety of influences on the album, from German Rock - Can, Neu, Kraftwerk, Trio, Rammstein, to 80s bands - Midnight Oil, Magazine, to exploratory guitar sounds - Joe Satriani, Dick Dale, to more recent music - QOTSA, Electric 6, Dungen.

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

It was recorded in the band's rehearsal space and overdubs at home.

Buzz Slayers: Do you guys write songs together, or are there a few main songwriters that bring ideas back to the rest?

I tend to write most of the songs but then they are jammed and shaped by the band.

Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as a band?

The drummer and I were playing in Faspeedelay, a post-rock instrumental band and we began jamming on material that didn't fit with what we were doing so we started Primitive Language as a side project, and this later became the main project.

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now? 

We are rehearsing with a new bassist so that we can play live again and continue recording. The live element is very important to us as we improvise extensively.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for you as a band?

We are in pre-production for a new album which should be out later this year.

Buzz Slayers: Who's in all your headphones right now?

Recently we've been listening to Mdou Moctar, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Bob Vylan, Three Trapped Tigers, Motorpsycho

Buzz Slayers: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

A synthesis of sounds that shows where the band is at this point in time.

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

Thanks to those who have supported us and are supporting us and thanks to you guys for allowing us to be introduced to new listeners. We hope you enjoy the music.

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