STACK NZ Mar #82

MUSIC REVIEWS

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THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN The most unexpected thing about The Jesus and Mary Chain's debut album was that they made it at all.When they first started playing, their sets barely broke the double-figures minute mark. In part that was because they'd sometimes take the stage claiming to be the support band, and get on and off before anyone twigged. But albums they did make; half a dozen between the mid '80s and late '90s, and now comes Damage and Joy this month, their first in 18 years. So how to buy JAMC?

Paul McCartney Flowers in the Dirt: Archive Edition After the excellent Band on the Ru n (1973), McCartney enjoyed considerable commercial success (notably the triple live set W ings Over America in 1976 which topped the US charts) but then there were diminishing artistic returns until the late 80s with this return to form. Some

suggested the three songs co-written with Elvis Costello (among them the hit My Brave Face , and the raw duet on You Want Her Too ) forced him to up his game, but his own songs were strong whether they be sentimental ( Put It There , the discreetly orchestrated Distractions ), quirky ( Rough Ride ) or rocking ( Figure of Eight ). Other co-writes with Costello would appear on their separate albums, but Flowers – an important solo McCartney album – marked a turning point. The most expansive Archive Edition reissue offers four discs which includes nine demos of Costello co-writes (acoustic and with the band), videos and 16 download-only songs if you shell out big bucks. There are more fiscally manageable double vinyl and double CD editions too. Graham Reid

Psychocandy (1983) The impressive debut (with Bobby Gillespie, later of Primal Scream, on drums) wherein Scotland's Reid brothers Jim and William introduced their brand of loud, discordant, feedback-infused guitars to classic pop structures. They drew as much fromThe Beach Boys

and Phil Spector's girl groups as the Velvet Underground. UK shoegaze was invented here, and so was the sound of JAMC… which they would subsequently refine. Darklands (1987)

Here the melodies went up many notches (the soaring Happy When It Rains ), searing guitars occasionally came down (the title track), and a tastefully-used drum machine came in after Gillespie's departure. Influences were more from Lou Reed's VU and solo ballads ( Deep

One Perfect Morning , Nine Million Rainy Days ), but behind the indie rock bluster JAMC were essentially a dark power pop-rock band ( April Skies ). Critics were unimpressed but they were wrong: Darklands is essential if you enjoy shameless, fist-pumping indie rock. Honey's Dead (1992)

Alison Krauss Windy City

The Jesus And Mary Chain Damage And Joy The Jesus and Mary Chain imploded following the recording of Munki , their last long player, 19 years ago. Reuniting in 2007 essentially as a touring outfit, tempestuous brothers Jim and William Reid have finally recorded a new album. The Mary Chain’s signature distorted grit and texture is omnipresent, but Damage and Joy plays with a lighter heart, the tone decidedly more positive, and lacking the anger and venom of Munki . Produced by Youth (who also laid down bass on the album), Damage And Joy expands on the band’s unique sound and vocal style without significantly changing the formula. War On Peace , All Things Pass and Song For A Secret are standouts here, but any world with a new Mary Chain album in it isn’t a bad place to be. Paul Jones

Critics were right to dismiss third album Automatic (1989) which might have been retitled Autopilot , even if fans loved it and Americans finally got it. The Yanks might have recoiled at the opener on this next album. Reverence offers “I wanna die like Jesus Christ,” and

Alison Krauss is an outstanding fiddle player and singer, known for awakening America’s love of bluegrass. It's been 18 years since her last solo project, and this time she has teamed up with renowned Nashville producer Buddy Cannon (Willie Nelson). Together they handpicked a collection of heartbreaking classic country songs, previously released by Brenda Lee, The Osborne Brothers, Willie Nelson and Jimmie Rodgers amongst others. A voice that is so sweet, delicate and powerful reliving songs from years gone by - a perfect way to make a solo revival. Denise Hylands

the album divided critics and loyalists. Yes, the whispered menace and feedback returned, but at its best this slewed straight into screamadelic grunge. However it was great fun… and that was a rare commodity at the time. It stands up. The Power of Negative Thinking; B-Sides and Rarities (2008) Alphabet Street ?) alongside acoustic demos of their classic singles, B-sides not on albums, and so much more. In fact, you could start here and work back. And also... You can score the first five JAMC studio albums at JB Hi-Fi in the budget-priced Rhino Original Album Series, which includes all the first three above, plus Stoned and Dethroned from 1994 (with guests Shane MacGowan of the Pogues and Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star). Shoegaze sometimes but, given the right ingredients, JAMC were always skygaze too. Words Graham Reid In this four-CD set, sources are displayed on the covers (Bo Diddley, The Beach Boys, Motown, Howling Wolf, Elvis); it's comprised of unexpected oddities (Prince's

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MARCH 2017

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