Superfecta: Primal Instinct

Combining the filthy edge of grunge to the threatening bite of alternative, Superfecta offer up their first full length album, Primal Instinct, hot on the heels of the well received EP, Pendulum. Throwing out shards of everything from Soundgarden to Sugar/Bob Mould, this London four-piece have a solid base of riff heavy shenanigans to rely on as they stretch their sound into new and interesting areas. That it doesn't all quite come off can be forgiven so early in their time together, especially when you take into account that much of this album does indeed click neatly, but not too neatly, into place.

Andrew Urwin fronts up well, his voice rich and smooth, fragile yet gritty, a believable delivery each and every time; even if, unfortunately, the opening vocal line of the album on "She's A Star" is unsettlingly unsure. Actually it's a low key introduction, a steady pace driven home through booming bass and punchy drums, the chorus illustrating multi-layered vocals; something which proves a strong point across the whole album. And yet it's hard not to suggest that the altogether more urgent "Emotional Miracle" wouldn't have made a better starting point, tumbling toms and an attitude infused vocal riding on a jumpy riff. This is this young outfit at their best and there's more like it on Primal Instinct, the title track mining the likes of Buffalo Tom, or even The Lemonheads for inspiration as the beat hammers home at a fair lick, while "Fading Light" is simple heads down and Rock, and boy does it! However, in fairness, in an attempt to alter the dynamics, the slower, more ponderous moments seem to cling onto an introverted uncertainty, like a shy friend who stops you getting laid a party. "Fallen Angel" being New Model Army without the snarl, "Inside" a bluesy workout that merely navel gazes in a sub-par Alice In Chains kind of way.

I often say; "bearing in mind that this album is a debut effort, then there's no doubt this band show loads of promise", and with Primal Instinct, there's no denying that Superfecta illustrate that they're packed with potential, and yet the amount of top notch debuts I've encountered just this year, suggests that the ante has been raised for emerging talents. Hopefully that won't stifle Superfecta's evolution, for this is a band with a lot to say that's worth hearing. If they keep this form up and drop some of the more morose moments, they could go a long way...

Track Listing
1. She's A Star
2. Emotional Miracle
3. Inside
4. Driven
5. Paradox
6. Primal Instinct
7. Fading Light
8. Fallen Angel
9. To Live Again
10. Pendulum

Added: December 27th 2014
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Superfecta on ReverbNation
Hits: 1743
Language: english

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