Darklands (studio album) by The Jesus And Mary Chain

They change their style a bit on this record to more typical alternative 80s sound, but it is still so amazingly executed - Happy When It Rains and April Skies are incredibly good songs.

The sound they create on here is fantastic and it really set a great mood for the listener to be able to dwell in. They are brilliant at maintaining an atmosphere throughout a whole record and this creates a togetherness in the music making the record feel cohesive and complete. There is no song on here that warrants being cut or is a complete waste of time as every song helps to build this suspense and tension. A few tracks are a little weaker than the majority as they feel a little too slow and don't hook us as well. This doesn't detract from the album though with the big songs driving home the quality of music. I think the first 3 songs are the peak of the record as they set the tone perfectly and make you desperate for more of this style of music. Overall, a great album that is consistent in its quality and is also experimental and engaging.

From IanFrance 11/20/2020 09:47

It’s always refreshing to see (or hear) a band varying its formula. Even more so when its only their second release and the first was received so well. Darklands isn’t the complete volte-face that it’s sometimes said to be – there’s still feedback and the like – but it does move in different ways to its predecessor. The melodies are stronger, the production is better (which can be a mixed blessing, but it works here) and the lyrics are more thought-provoking. The main criticism which could be levelled at this album is that several of the songs sound very similar in their guitar lines. Thankfully, the overall effort is great and so one finds oneself overlooking that. Not as groundbreaking as Psychocandy, but more enjoyable.
High Points: Happy When It Rains; April Skies; Down On Me; Fall

From Brad1770 01/16/2020 00:29

When 'Psychocandy' came out in 85 it blew my mind and changed my life

When the 'Some Candy Talkin' EP came out in 86 it was almost as good

When the 'April Skies' single came out preceding the 'Darklands' album in 87 it was amazing

So to say the anticipation for the 'Darklands' release was palpable was an understatement ...

When I finally got I hands on a copy I knew going in it wasn't going to be Psychocandy Mark II (reviews had put paid to that ) and it was good . Better than good actually , the perfect follow up to the perfect album 2 years previous

Time has been really kind to 'Darklands' and listening to it in 2020 it hasn't aged one bit , the William Reid vocal tracks to mine are a revelation

"Hand in hand in a violent life
Making love on the edge of a knife
And the world comes tumbling down"

The last truly great JAMC album

Favorite Tracks:About You

Great follow-up to a brilliant debut. JAMC prove that they don't need the endless layers of noise when their melodies and lyrics are impeccable. A string of excellent tracks.

From Brad1770 01/02/2018 06:00

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Best Tracks: April Skies, Happy When It Rains

Basically, psychocandy, without the feedback and distortion. Alright, it's a bit more than that and though it isn't as interesting as it's predecessor, it certainly is more emotive and the songwriting overall is just probably slightly stronger, but i love the noise on, psychocandy, although it gives me a headache if I listen to it too loudly(the only album that does that to me). The second of the Mary Chain's two classic albums, darklands, is an essential eighties album.

This was so different to Psychocandy in a good way that is. It showcases how the Reid Bros. were able to write melodic songs without the use of noise and feedback as the others had said. Well done to the Mary Chain for doing this. My favorites are Darklands, Happy When It Rains, Down On Me, April Skies, and Cherry Came Too