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?)