The Jesus and Mary Chain: Darklands

For The Fan Presents:

The Jesus and Mary Chain: Darklands (review)

Artist: The Mary And Jesus Chain

Album: Darklands

Release Date: 1987

Label: Blanco y Negro

Genre: Post-Punk, Shoegaze, Indie, Alternative

Music lovers will often times talk about “Psychocandy” as the definitive record from The Jesus and Mary Chain, and yes, it is a great introduction to the band. However, for my money, “Darklands” is a far more complex and better album. Yeah, I said it.

Some may want to argue about it, but the fuzz and noise that made their debut great also made it detrimental for many people, especially if you crank it. No one is blasting “Like Honey”, instead it’s relegated to the background of a lot of movies, and noise that you hear on underground radio stations, internet streaming websites, and your older brother’s boom box. (Do they still have those?)

“Darklands” is a moodier second record, it is vibrant still, does not have that noise-pop sound and instead focuses on song writing and structure. The vocals of Jim Reid really prove to be clear here, and you will find that it is a major alternative break through. As far as pop and rock clashing into what many known as “alternative” from the 1980s, this is the defining record you are going to hear argued about. Sure, many bands put out quality music in 1987, but this is that one that spun alongside REM and many other bands on college radio.

Stand out tracks include “Happy When It Rains”, “Darklands”, and of course “April Skies”. If you invest in the vinyl record, you will hear that treble and bass noise that came with their debut, but in a much cleaner way. A well-worn copy of this will give you that semi sonic sound, but will offer a bit more depth in the vocals. I know, the fuzz made it so cool, but this record deserves so much more credit.

Pros: No more noise, Cleaner vocals, Alternative songwriting from the 1980s, It’s Scottish, so it’s not crap.

Cons: No Noise, it’s not “Pyschocandy”

Rating

9/10

Links:

Cd+Dvd Deluxe Edition - http://amzn.to/1aHwyRi

Mp3 Edition - http://amzn.to/IQpUl7

180 gram vinyl reissue - http://amzn.to/18pISZB

Written by Sir Jorge