The Jesus and Mary Chain – Darklands (1987)
The follow-up to The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut album was never going to be an easy task for our heroes from Scotland. Rarely does a band put together all the pieces of sound, attitude and songwriting skills the way they did on Psychocandy (1985). A unique mix of early rock’n’roll, surf and dense, dissonant waves of post-punk feedback. In 1985, Psychocandy was the sound of a musical revolution. And a strike against shiny, safe new-wave that clogged up MTV and radio. That JAMC was able to sidestep the entire “difficult-second-album” syndrome says a lot about their artistry and skills.
Darklands was different right from the beginning. Firstly, original drummer Bobby Gillespie (now Primal Scream) has been replaced by a drum machine. Gone is the overt rebellion of sound. The screeching, psychedelic feedback of the first album is replaced by shimmering melodies with lots of reverb for an added punch. A warm vibe permeates the album, not unlike Velvet Underground at their most melodic. Songs like ‘April Skies‘ or ‘Happy When it Rains‘ that seem to soar out of your speakers, clean and fresh. Songs like this just make you want to get out of the way.
I’m not usually too hung-up on guitar tones or sound… I really just want them to sound great and, most importantly, serve the song. But it’s worth noting here that the guitar sound on Darklands is a something special- rich, lush and smooth sounds that still bite. Creating a timeless noise that helps focusing your attention squarely on the gorgeous songs that seem to roll out, one after the other.
Darklands takes a strategic sidestep for The Jesus and Mary Chain that served them well. By redirecting our focus, the band showcased it’s most important asset: songs. The melancholic and bittersweet poetry at the heart of all of Mary Chain’s music.
by Shawn Ciavattone
Read the ‘3 Wishes’ Jim Reid gave us here
‘JAMC play Darklands’ Tour Dates / Tickets
Shawn,
Darklands is definitely an album for springtime with track titles such as “Happy When It Rains”, “Nine Million Rainy Days”, and “April Skies”.
Getting rid of Gillespie was the best decision!
It’s interesting to imagine how the band would develop. Of course, we did get another great band from Gillespie.
“Stoned and dethroned”
Each JAMC has something to offer. Maybe we will get another chance to ask about some of the other questions.
This album has grown on me over the years, it´s not as experimental or ground-breaking as “Psychocandy”, but it´s packed with absolutely beautiful lyrics.
“I’m going down to the place tonight, to see if I can get the taste tonight.
A taste of something warm and sweet, that shivers your bones and rises to your heat” (Some Candy Talking). “I have ached for you, I have nothing left to give for you to take” (Nine Million Rainy Days).
And what to say about songs like “April Skies” or “Happy When It Rains”.
Brilliant album. Thanks for your review, Shawn.
Darklands is an incredible record. And I really believe that it opened up the opportunities that the band had to move forward. The sound of the first album was so amazing that they had to find a way forward. Those great songs were the perfect gift for fans
One of the greatest records of the 80s. As you write, it reveals the marvelous and beautiful melodies behind that wall of sound. I’ll be surely seeing them performing this in a couple of weeks…
That’s really exciting. Can’t imagine that the show won’t be excellent. Hope you enjoy all those incredible songs. 👍👍👍
It’s a perfect album, I’d love to see them perform that one live. But unfortunately only in Europe!
Darklands is an amazing record. We should have asked about a US tour.
Wish they would tour the US. Although I’m not a nostalgic person, I bought this album again last year and listened again after thirty years, and it really knocked me out. This drive, this dark, ultra-cool floating of the rhythms, and all the pieces are arranged in a coherent way and are brilliant pearls of the 80s from the indie area. If the band had been founded today, I think they would still find quite a few fans. Rightly so.
[…] Before that particular tour, we booked a rehearsal room to see if it would work or not. Because we just didn’t knew if it would, we never did it before- there are 4 or 5 songs on Psychocandy that even back in the day we never, ever played live. But it seemed to come together really quickly, and I expect that it will be the same with Darklands. […]