Vanishing Point (Primal Scream album)

Vanishing Point is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Primal Scream, released in July 1997. It marked a significant shift in the band's sound, moving away from the more straightforward rock and pop elements of their previous work, Give Out But Don't Give Up, and towards a darker, more experimental and dub-influenced soundscape.

The album's title is taken from the 1971 film of the same name. Key influences on the album's sound included krautrock, particularly Can and Neu!, as well as dub reggae and the electronic textures of Massive Attack. This fusion resulted in a hypnotic and atmospheric sound characterized by driving rhythms, heavy basslines, distorted guitars, and Bobby Gillespie's distinctive vocals often treated with echo and reverb.

Vanishing Point received critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its innovative sound and its successful synthesis of diverse musical styles. It is widely regarded as one of Primal Scream's best and most influential albums, contributing significantly to their reputation as one of the most consistently innovative bands of the 1990s. Notable tracks include "Burning Wheel," "Kowalski," and "Star." The album established a sonic template that Primal Scream would continue to explore in their subsequent releases, though never replicating it exactly.