Happy 30th: The Jesus and Mary Chain, DARKLANDS

30 years ago this month, The Jesus and Mary Chain released their second album.

Co-produced by John Loder, Bill Price, and J&MC member William Reid, DARKLANDS was recorded variously at Wessex Studios, Southern Studios, and Livingston Studios, which means that the band managed to finish the album without ever having to leave London. The more impressive task that they achieved, however, was soldiering on without the gentleman who’d served as the drummer on their debut album: Bobby Gillespie, who’d moved onward to focus on his own band, Primal Scream.

Following in the footsteps of a critically-acclaimed debut like PSYCHOCANDY was always going to be a challenge, at least in terms of satisfying the critics in the British music press, but the J&MC were up to the task. With singles like “April Skies,” “Happy When It Rains,” and the album’s title track in their holster, the critics ate up DARKLANDS, with praise being lavished on the album both in the UK and in the US.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes, DARKLANDS still holds up quite well 30 years on. Not only has it found its way into the mammoth tome 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die, but it remains William Reid’s favorite of the J&MC’s albums.

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