This was the album from the Jesus and MAry Chain that came out after the storm, after the limited popularity but widly known debut, Psychocandy. This second album, released in 1987 (year I was born woot) was no Psychocandy, it had a functioning system of it's own, mostly fuzzy-less and more stripped down, but damn was it quality as well.
1. Darklands
This is the intro track and it begins with guitar played nice and clear with occasional cymbol hit in the back. Other drums kick in and little intro thing is played. Voice comes in and the song is sung with a good clear sounding voice. This track is the official changing of the J&MC style, and it's done damn well. Very enjoyable track about wanting to go to the Darklands.5/5
2. Deep one Perfect Morning
Tempo is slowed down on this track, voice seems to change mood as well, the hapiness of going to the Darklands is replaced with a darker sounding voice and song alltogether. Drums do a thing and the song goes faster while entering the second verse. Song progresses and it seems a happier more awake mood has set. The Velvet Underground's influence as the voice sounds a lot like Lou Reed at this point, but it's all right now. 4.5/5
3. Happy when it Rains
Qucik drum thing starts off this track followed by guitar playing nice quick riffing things. Verse one begins with vocals sounding again optimistic. Talking about bad things but also bringing up the positive.
"you were my sunny day rain
you were the clouds in the sky
you were the darkest sky
but your lips spoke gold and honey"
He's saying he's happy when it rains, he's happy now. This is a great track to cheer up to. to see that the positive is always present (plus the instrumental work is bitchin'). 5/5
4. Down on Me
Song begins with murky slow riffs, and drums, and vocals set in. The chorus is definetly the highlight of this song, it just stands out from the verses and leads the way for the song with a good somewhat-standout guitar part. 4/5
5. Nine MIllion Rainy Days
Song begins with seeming bass being played (I might be mistaken) and voice playing together. Drums play in background, lightly, but not as the voice is. Quick drum thing and guitar sets in.
"you're going to fall down dead
as far as i can tell
i'm being dragged from here to hell
and all my time in hell"
Not a nice song seemingly but it produces a great sound, and dark feel. 5/5
6. April Skies
Song begins with a quicker pace than the preceding 5. All set in with guitar, bass, and drums, not blazing (as the JaMC style goes) but playing away, creating a backdrop to quick entrance to vocals, a song about a girl.A girl glorified by the singer's willing sacrifice to her. A great guitar part occupies the space between the verse and the slowish tempo is revisited.
"get back to where you come from
i can't help it
under the april skies
under the april sun"
The music would make you imagine a grey skies, but even if they are grey they are frequented by skies and the sun in April, UNTIL...
"sun grows cold
sky gets black
and you broke me up
and now you won't come back
shaking hand, life is dead
and a broken heart
and a screaming head
under the april sky".
Ouch4JaMc, still a great track. 5/5.
7. Fall
Fall begins with a more brisk feel than previous tracks, the voice comes out as dark (seemingly still hung over from the april sky incident). This track helps the flow of this record become a notable thing. So far these songs have came together so well to make a unified feel and the feel is evident in this track. 4.5/5
8. Cherry Come Too
Backing drum beats support a guitar that chimes in to a not-so-murky sound. The song is an optimistic one, talking about Cherry, finally a cool girl, comparing her to darkness, darklands...
"cherry takes me to the place above
with barbed wire kisses and her love
we're going where the oceans blue
kick the dust and you can come too
in the light of all my darkest mornings
things fall into place"
In some ways this track sounds like the Beach Boys, it has the feel of talking about a girl and the voice is somewhat similar to the Boy's but it has it's own JaMc feel that sets it apart, the darkness and slight fuzzy feel. 5/5
9. On the Wall
Drums go ratatatatatata to begin this and guitar plays occasional somber tune. Voice sounds once again like it is just waking up. A depressing sound but it works so well to make the song very listeneable. 4.5/5
10. About You
Song begins with acoustic guitar being moreso clearly played, voice comes in and singing with words being held on to. Acoustic is still going on and it's another nice track with the same fuzz feel (only slight though, tis ain't no Psychocandy as previously mentioned). Guitar holds a brief interlude and voice comes back to talk about warmth of rain. 4.5/5
Darklands was the album that came after the storm. It was overlooked simply because it didn't begin with a "p" but that was ok. Darklands didn't need that to measure up and become JaMC's best album.
4/5 (After rethinking it, I decided 4.8 was a tad much).
