The Primitives

Coventry is not known for its musical heritage -- but in a way this is a perfect album to summarise where British pop-rock was in 1991. The Stone Roses had rescued the late 80s in breathtaking style but the rest of the pack had been left fumbling some way behind. It wasn't until Oasis and Blur would arrive a few years later that the magic would be rediscovered. In between there were many bands that produced one-off moments, like big hit singles, but no one launched a sustained bid to save guitar or 'indie' music.

Formed in Coventry in 1984, The Primitives had their moment in 1988 with their top ten hit Crash, helped by a catchy guitar hook and the seductive beauty of lead singer Tracy Tracy. By this third album though the desire for jangling guitars had been overtaken by the Madchester scene and an infusion of dance. It's a shame because Galore, produced by Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie, has some impressive moments, including You Are The Way and The Bangles' like Slip Away.

This album was their third and last until a 2012 reunion, which has since seen two albums from surviving members Tracy Tracy and Paul Court (founding bassist Steve Dullagan died in 2009). Included in the reissue of Galore are several bonus tracks, including three songs previously only on a Japanese version of the album, one of which - In My Spell - has a feel of early Blondie. There is also a Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) mix of You Are My Way and a acoustic version of the band's second single Stop Killing Me.