Complete List Of The Jesus and Mary Chain Albums And Songs

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The Jesus and Mary Chain band was formed in East Kilbride, Scotland, in 1983 by brothers Jim and William Reid, emerged as a pivotal force in the alternative rock scene. The band is known for its distinctive fusion of punk rock sensibilities with melodic pop, heavily utilizing feedback and minimalist song structures, which earned them a reputation as innovators in the noise pop and shoegaze genres. Their debut album, Psychocandy, released in 1985, is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work that influenced a generation of musicians. Over the years, the band has released a total of nine studio albums, including their latest, Glasgow Eyes, in 2024. Additionally, their discography includes two live albums, six compilation albums, and several EPs.

Chart success for the band was modest but significant within the alternative music circles. Their second studio album, Darklands (1987), reached number five on the UK Albums Chart, marking their highest chart position. Subsequent albums such as Automatic (1989) and Honey’s Dead (1992) also entered the top 20 in the UK. The band has not won major music awards but has maintained a strong cult following and critical acclaim throughout their career. Original members Jim and William Reid were the core of the band, with other members including bassist Douglas Hart and drummers Bobby Gillespie and Ben Lurie among others, contributing to various albums and tours. The band’s influence is evident in the evolution of indie and alternative music, persisting through periods of hiatus before returning to recording and touring in the 2010s.

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN STUDIO ALBUMS

Psychocandy

Released November 1985

Psychocandy is The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut studio album, which quickly became influential within the alternative rock community, blending pop melodies with distortion and feedback-heavy guitar work. The band, formed by brothers Jim and William Reid, recorded the album at Southern Studios, London, in 1985. John Loder produced the album alongside the band.

The album’s sound, marked by its blend of punk minimalism and the production aesthetics of Phil Spector, resulted in its pioneering “shoegaze” genre. Psychocandy performed modestly on the charts but has since been critically acclaimed.

CD Track Listings:

“Just Like Honey” – 3:03
“The Living End” – 2:16
“Taste the Floor” – 2:56
“The Hardest Walk” – 2:40
“Cut Dead” – 2:47
“In a Hole” – 3:02
“Taste of Cindy” – 1:42
“Never Understand” – 2:57
“Inside Me” – 3:09
“Sowing Seeds” – 2:50
“My Little Underground” – 2:31
“You Trip Me Up” – 2:26
“Something’s Wrong” – 4:01
“It’s So Hard” – 2:37

Darklands

Released August 1987

Darklands is the second album by The Jesus and Mary Chain, recorded between 1986 and 1987 primarily at Livingston Recording Studios, London. This album saw the band move towards a more refined and cleaner sound compared to the abrasive textures of Psychocandy. The Reid brothers handled almost all of the instrumental duties after the departure of their drummer, Bobby Gillespie.

The album charted better than its predecessor, reaching number five in the UK Albums Chart and solidifying the band’s importance in the indie rock scene of the late 1980s.

CD Track Listings:

“Darklands” – 5:29
“Deep One Perfect Morning” – 2:43
“Happy When It Rains” – 3:36
“Down on Me” – 2:36
“Nine Million Rainy Days” – 4:29
“April Skies” – 4:00
“Fall” – 2:28
“Cherry Came Too” – 3:06
“On the Wall” – 5:03
“About You” – 2:31

Automatic

Released October 1989

Automatic is The Jesus and Mary Chain’s third studio album, showcasing a departure towards a more electronic and synthesizer-oriented sound. Recorded primarily at Sam Therapy in London during 1989, the album features the Reid brothers using drum machines and synthesizers extensively. The production was handled by Alan Moulder along with the band.

Although it received mixed reviews at the time, Automatic performed well commercially, reaching number eleven in the UK Albums Chart and broadening the band’s audience in the United States.

CD Track Listings:

“Here Comes Alice” – 3:53
“Coast to Coast” – 4:13
“Blues from a Gun” – 4:43
“Between Planets” – 3:27
“UV Ray” – 4:06
“Her Way of Praying” – 3:46
“Head On” – 4:11
“Take It” – 4:33
“Halfway to Crazy” – 3:40
“Gimme Hell” – 3:20
“Drop” – 1:57
“Sunray” – 1:34

Honey’s Dead

Released March 1992

Honey’s Dead, The Jesus and Mary Chain’s fourth album, was named as a statement that the band had moved beyond their debut. Recorded at The Drugstore in London, the album was produced by Jim and William Reid, who aimed to refine their sound and approach. The album achieved commercial success, peaking at number fourteen on the UK Albums Chart and receiving positive critical reception for its blend of alternative rock and electronic elements.

CD Track Listings:

“Reverence” – 3:41
“Teenage Lust” – 3:05
“Far Gone and Out” – 2:51
“Almost Gold” – 3:18
“Sugar Ray” – 4:40
“Tumbledown” – 4:08
“Catchfire” – 4:46
“Good for My Soul” – 3:05
“Rollercoaster” – 3:51
“I Can’t Get Enough” – 2:56
“Sundown” – 4:57
“Frequency” – 1:19

Stoned & Dethroned

Released August 1994

Stoned & Dethroned, the fifth album by The Jesus and Mary Chain, marked a shift towards a more acoustic and melodic approach. Recorded at The Drugstore in London from 1993 to 1994, this album features guest appearances by Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star and Shane MacGowan from The Pogues. It peaked at number twelve in the UK Albums Chart, maintaining the band’s presence in the alternative rock scene.

CD Track Listings:

“Dirty Water” – 3:08
“Bullet Lovers” – 3:39
“Sometimes Always” – 2:32
“Come On” – 3:16
“Between Us” – 2:58
“Hole” – 2:15
“Never Saw It Coming” – 3:32
“She” – 3:08
“Wish I Could” – 2:42
“Save Me” – 2:42
“Till It Shines” – 3:16
“God Help Me” – 2:45
“Girlfriend” – 3:15
“Everybody I Know” – 2:12
“You’ve Been a Friend” – 3:36
“These Days” – 2:30
“Feeling Lucky” – 2:17

Munki

Released June 1998

Munki is The Jesus and Mary Chain’s sixth studio album, which was released under Creation Records. The album was recorded at various locations including Whitfield Street Recording Studios in London and CaVa Studios in Glasgow between 1997 and 1998. The album features contributions from various musicians including Ben Lurie, Nick Sanderson, and touring drummer Barry Black. Produced by Jim Reid and William Reid, Munki was noted for its return to the band’s earlier, more chaotic sound, but it also explores a variety of other styles, signaling a diverse sonic experimentation.

Munki charted at number forty-seven in the UK Albums Chart, showcasing a moderate commercial performance.

CD Track Listings:

“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – 2:36
“Birthday” – 3:57
“Stardust Remedy” – 2:25
“Fizzy” – 3:39
“Moe Tucker” – 3:18
“Perfume” – 4:37
“Virtually Unreal” – 3:37
“Degenerate” – 5:30
“Cracking Up” – 4:41
“Commercial” – 7:02
“Supertramp” – 3:37
“Never Understood” – 4:14
“I Can’t Find the Time for Times” – 4:16
“Man on the Moon” – 3:41
“Black” – 5:19
“Dream Lover” – 3:04
“I Hate Rock ‘n’ Roll” – 3:43

Damage and Joy

Released March 2017

Damage and Joy is the seventh studio album by The Jesus and Mary Chain, their first studio release in nineteen years since Munki. Recorded at various locations including The Village in Los Angeles and at Estudio K in Spain, the album was produced by Youth (Martin Glover). The album reunites the classic noise pop elements with modern production, featuring contributions from Isobel Campbell, Bernadette Denning, and Linda Reid.

The album reached number thirty-one on the UK Albums Chart, marking a successful return for the band.

CD Track Listings:

“Amputation” – 3:25
“War on Peace” – 4:32
“All Things Pass” – 4:25
“Always Sad” – 2:52
“Song for a Secret” – 3:21
“The Two of Us” – 4:12
“Los Feliz (Blues and Greens)” – 4:54
“Mood Rider” – 4:04
“Presidici (Et Chapaquiditch)” – 3:36
“Get on Home” – 3:31
“Facing Up to the Facts” – 3:06
“Simian Split” – 4:14
“Black and Blues” – 3:20
“Can’t Stop the Rock” – 3:21

Glasgow Eyes

Released 2024

Glasgow Eyes is the latest studio album by The Jesus and Mary Chain, released in 2024. This album marks a significant evolution in the band’s sound, incorporating modern indie rock influences with their signature noise pop style. Recorded in Glasgow, the album’s production was led by the Reid brothers, with additional production by former band member Ben Lurie.