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Rating: The year was 1994, the Reid brothers, having left their native Scotland, were overseas and the first signs of decline were beginning to appear. The album "Stoned and Dethroned" had disappointed me, and the impression that the Jesus And Mary Chain had floundered in the system was clear and disheartening. But from the same album, a gem emerges: the second part of the double single "Come On".
The four tracks start with the title-track, a ballad that begins with a smooth round of drums-bass-guitar and tambourine. A typical pop song with verses and chorus sung by Jim; the bass is pleasant and powerful until, a minute before the end of the track, an acidic guitar forcefully interrupts the melody. Everything becomes black and terribly underground. The "pure Jesus style" resurfaces, underground and malevolent, Jim's voice now more hoarse and the electric melody compelling. Pure power emanates from the speakers. The second track continues with the Pogues cover "Ghost Of A Smile" and not knowing the original, I can't venture into a comment which I otherwise believe not entirely positive. The third track immediately plunges us into the noise magma with William's solitary and distorted guitar (a bit softened over the years, which lashes with great pleasure as if it were a grinder attacking a piece of steel... welcome back cacophony! As if that weren't enough, all this goodness comes from an (for me) totally unexpected cover of Prince's "Alphabet Street" (!?). I can imagine the grin of the Minneapolis genius the first time he heard it! The record closes with one last cover, this time by the Cramps; a "New Kind Of Kick" turned upside down by the Jesus, in a live version, from San Diego. A 1992 recording that once again oozes power, exalted by the rougher and more "spacious" sound of the concert. The finale then brings me back the image of the two brothers bowed over their guitars, a hair’s breadth from the amp, improvising in the moment, intent on getting into it and slicing large chunks of feedback.
It brings back memories of the Milan concert the following year that I attended and the strong emotions these masters of the art managed to make me feel. Well done!
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