The album is saved from falling too far into moldy retro-rock by producer Bjorn Yttling (of popsters Peter Bjorn and John), who brought the band into his studio in Sweden to record the album. Unlike previous Primal Scream efforts, song lengths are kept pretty standard: a majority clock in under 4 minutes. The title cut opens the album with big, happy chords and even some wedding chimes, and whether or not it's spittingly ironic, it's a lot of fun. Okay, "Can't Go Back" and "The Glory of Love" sound like Eagles of Death Metal outtakes, but track 7, "Beautiful Summer," has the spooky dramatics of Death in Vegas.

The UK Guardian gives this album 2 out of 5 stars, mostly as a kind of payback for apparently being too soft on the band in the past, and mocks lead singer Bobby Gillespie's vocals for attacking capitalism while he continues to enjoy its benefits, like, say, expensive drinks at fancy nightclubs. To this I say: whatever. Sure, they may not reflect his cozy life, or even make much sense, but they're part of the atmosphere, one of excitement and menace, just crazy enough to keep you on edge. Eventually he quiets down and the guitar kicks in for a minor-key coda, and it's like a salute to all the trouble you've seen. Excitement, menace, solidarity: Isn't that what rock 'n' roll is supposed to be about?

Beautiful Future is out July 21st on Atlantic Records.