Given that New Wave and post-punk are commercially viable genres again, don't be surprised to see a number of obscure and forgotten records from the '80s to be dusted off and reissued on CD.
The Prime Movers (http://www.primemoversmusic.com) are one of those bands that somehow slipped from my own personal radar during the Thatcher years. Yes, kids, post-punk meant more than just Gang of Four's spike-knuckled funk. Many of the groups that originated from that movement were actually pretty bleak, ebony-clad artists such as Bauhaus, Joy Division, and Killing Joke. The Prime Movers existed between the dark shadows of early Echo & the Bunnymen and the atmospheric, anthemic rock of vintage U2.
"Museum" was originally released in 1984, and it captures the underground sounds of the time: layers of moody, swirling guitars; passionate, melancholic vocals; icy, mechanical percussion. The band was far from original, taking cues from peers like the aforementioned U2 (especially on "Pieces" with its Edge-like shimmering riffs), the Sound, and the Comsat Angels. However, for long-time post-punk disciples this is exhilarating nostalgia.
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Alternative acts don't make LPs like they used to, and "Museum" is yet another example of that. It's exciting to hear those early '80s trademarks again even though the tunes don't have the lasting impact of the Bunnymen's or U2's finest work. Given the massive competition at the time, one can see why the Prime Movers eventually faded into the abyss. However, listening to this album now, with garbage like emo and rap-metal booming from car radios, it's like manna from Heaven.
Time has been kind to the Prime Movers. 20 years ago I would've said, "Well, they're no Bunnymen," before dismissing the record. Now I can say, "Well, they're no Fall Out Boy -- and thank God for that."
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