THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
GLASGOW EYES
FUZZ CLUB
After two recent releases, first the live album Sunset 666, then the anniversary release Munki, The Jesus and Mary Chain continue their unlikely resurrection with Glasgow Eyes, their first album of new material since 2017βs Damage and Joy. They waste little time getting started, as opener βVenal Joyβ is a classic band number. Full of pace and punchy power, itβs everything that a Jesus and Mary Chain fan could want.
The band sounds great and about as clear as they ever have. No longer lost in fuzz, not a note is wasted in bringing themselves across to the listener. In spite of all that, none of the youthful, hyped energy has left them.Β Theyβre as fast and as solid in their sound as they were in their pomp, and just as vital.
They also remain as idiosyncratic as ever; while the album has highlights like the strangely fun βMediterranean X Filmβ and the typically psych-infused closer βHey Lou Reedβ, as well as powerful lead single “Jamcod”, thereβs some bizarre borderline album-ruiners like βAmerican Bornβ, which at best could be considered a tongue-in-cheek parody.
Still, compared to the occasionally insipid quality of the two previous releases, and the usual uneven nature of the band, this a solid effort and probably a sign of better things to come from a mature, together band. Given the Reid brothersβ history, this is welcome, particularly if it leads to music of this quality on a regular basis.
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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN – GLASGOW EYES
John Porter