THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN

EN

The Scottish brothers Reid already managed to amuse and move me in my teens with albums like “Psycho Candy” (Blanco Y Negro, 1985) and “Darklands” (Blanco Y Negro, 1987) and now I finally found the time to listen to their most recent album “Glasgow Eyes”. After all, there is an incredible range of release promos on the shelf that I have to struggle through day in and day out and unfortunately this one was not among them. Fortunately, it is quite easy to get it from the local record dealer and I am talking about the physical version, both of the record and record dealer. Now I realize I should have done this sooner because some 40 years later, I am once again impressed by these brothers, who, averse to all trends, continue to do their sincere thing as stubbornly as old, gray donkeys.

Their noise pop shoegaze of the early years may be a bit worn out, but in my opinion this “Glasgow Eyes” fits in effortlessly with the utterly amazing album, okay I'm exaggerating slightly, but still, album called “Darklands”. The single “Jamcod” had already floored me with its sudden guitar 'noise' outburst, but this album in its entirety is simply a master piece. There is still a certain sense of error and a mischievous atmosphere throughout this “Glasgow Eyes” that manages to capture reality in a completely personal and yet universal way. Yes, I already had that feeling with “Darklands” that I mentioned earlier. Even though as a teenager I could only feel it and not immediately put it into words.

How wonderfully melancholy these boys were back then in their black outfits, well they still are in their own way now. With mavericks like “Discotheque”, the confused introverted rock of “Pure Poor” but also the youthful flamboyance of “Girl71” or the Joan Jett wink in “The Eagles And The Beatles”. Of course this is a lot of rock, but so was “Darklands”, anyone who can look through the greasy rock or noise pop will discover beautiful, simple but always very effective compositions.

Just listen to “Silver Strings”, simple and effective and in that respect also simply beautiful. The new The Jesus And Mary Chain has twelve idiosyncratic songs that bring out the best in brothers William and Jim Reid. Can I say that a song like “Cheminal Animal” could have just been on “Darklands”? Yes I can. Even “Second Of June” breathes that same atmosphere, that same soul, that same passion. An old fox may lose his hair, although William Reid has still plenty, but this pranks are there forever. That is mainly what these brothers prove on “Glasgow Eyes”. I'll be stuck with their repertoire again for the next few days, maybe even weeks. I already have “Darklands” ready at my record player. Can I feel 16 again? Yes, I can! This is the best The Jesus And Mary Chain managed to release in their second life. Simply delicious!

Kurt INGELS
03/08/2024

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NL

U kan de Nederlanstalige versie van deze review HIER nalezen bij onze collega's van Dark Entries Magazine!

Kurt INGELS
03/08/2024

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