Psychocandy Review: Beach Boys Hooks Buried Under Feedback
9/10 — The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)
Pros
- Sweet melodies and noise
- 'Just Like Honey'
- Hugely influential
Cons
- Tiring noise
- Murky production
Psychocandy was the debut from the Reid brothers’ band, with melodies influenced by the Shangri-Las and the Beach Boys, but buried in distortion and feedback. It paved the way for shoegaze.
What works
‘Just Like Honey’ is a gorgeous pop song wrapped in fuzz, ‘Never Understand’ and ‘You Trip Me Up’ are thrilling, and the combination of sweetness and noise is distinctive. The album is short and punchy.
Where it falters
The noise level can be tiring, and the production is deliberately murky.
Verdict
A fuzzy, thrilling debut that changed indie rock.
