21 Singles 1984-1998 (CD - 2002)

Jesus & Mary Chain: Jim Reid, William Reid, Hope Sandoval (vocals, guitar); Ben Lurie (guitar, bass); Nick Sanderson, Bobby Gillespie (drums); Karen Parker, Steve Monty, Douglas Hart, Murrey Dalgliesh, Alan Mulder, John Loder, Bill Price.

Recorded between 1984 & 1998.

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

21 Singles is a perfect, understated title for a compilation that nonchalantly illustrates just why the Jesus and Mary Chain are revered by post-punk partisans and are considered so influential. Sure, Psychocandy is the masterwork -- ground zero for noise pop and shoegazing, a record that helped shift the course of indie rock in the second half of the '80s -- but to reduce their career to just that one record isn't fair, since the albums that followed found the Mary Chain exploring interesting ground, whether it was swirls of feedback and noise or dark, haunting soundscapes. Although albums like Darklands and Honey's Dead were consistent works in their own right, the group was often best heard through its singles -- and, collected together on this stellar collection, they form a strong canon. Again, Psychocandy remains their masterpiece, but for a summation of their entire career this is first-rate, giving all their best on one collection that is essential for any post-punk or alt-rock library. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Not content to get regular day jobs, Scottish brothers Jim and William Reid (both on vocals and guitar) founded the Jesus & Mary Chain. The band's first single, "Upside Down," issued in 1984, was a mission statement of sorts, with squalls of guitar feedback looming over cool, detached singing and a lumbering beat. The group soon became UK music press darlings, largely due to their volatile live gigs. Over the years, the JAMC lineup changed numerous times (even including Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie briefly), and the Reid brothers began relying less on distortion and more on melody.

This chronologically ordered collection touches on every phase of the Jesus & Mary Chain's career, initially focusing on their remarkable debut, PSYCHOCANDY, and its outstanding '87 follow-up, DARKLANDS. Highlights from this period include the pop-perfect "Just Like Honey" and the swaggering "Sidewalking." As the band evolved, they became increasingly pop-savvy, as best revealed by the energetic "Head On" (later covered by the Pixies) and the gentle "Sometimes Always" (featuring vocalist Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star). Although the JAMC disbanded in 1998, legions of artists have since cited them as a major influence, and 21 SINGLES shows exactly why this group is so revered. minimize