Review
Ah, "Darklands"—The Jesus and Mary Chain's mellower sophomore expedition, released on that somewhat dreary day of August 31, 1987. Bid adieu to frantic noise and tumultuous feedback; this time, the Brothers Reid have opted for something a tad softer, perhaps even cleaning their metaphorical musical glasses. It's a record that carries less of "Psychocandy's" frenetic energy, steering towards a stripped back, decidedly less chaotic territory without sacrificing an ounce of that moody atmosphere we so cherish.
Gone too are the pounding beats of Bobby Gillespie, who swapped his drumsticks for eyeliner with Primal Scream. In his place, nothing quite so alive as good ol’ drum machines take the stage. Eschewing pomp for precision, the album's tracks wade through post-punk rhythms with the semblance of civility. Critics might liken the shift to classic rock sensibilities in songs such as "April Skies," yet spot-on catchiness remains untainted, ensuring your head nods along of its own volition.
Vocally, Jim Reid takes the lion’s share, though William grants vocals on a few nousy numbers like "Nine Million Rainy Days." With production polish supplied by the band, Bill Price, and John Loder, "Darklands" reached new heights and scored the band's best-ever UK chart flirtation at number five. Though some purists may mourn the noise-pop fade, the fact that it lands a page in *1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die* all but decrees its wider cultural capital. Perfect for breaking the wicked chill on a drab Saturday, it's definitely alternative rock with the kind of dignified anger only Scotsmen could conjure. Cheers! - Oliver
