Why does Jesus and Mary Chain's 'Psychocandy' sound like crap?

actually, it was recorded and released by a huge major label (Warner Brothers) with a fuckload of capital.

i remember seeing the posters seeming bigger than other typical posters, and looking at the overall band art, and thinking "this psychocandy is really getting the corporate marketing treatment".

i think stereo quality in their equipment was quite a lot more varied back then amoungst people, so suspicions like that from back then don't surprise me. The idea that stereo fidelity has something to do with it, i don't know that something like that could be used in the marketing today, as it was then.

Yes indeed. (He says while finishing listening to it.)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000006NL3.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

`Cos you've got your had way up your ass, apparently.

'Ears are broken' indeed. Vaguely remember some interview, Jim Reid relating how someone heard a song off Psychocandy playing on a radio, thinking the radio was broken, picking it up and banging it so it would get back to working correctly. I mean, if that was your band, tell me you wouldn't swell with pride.

No. But it's pretty good.

Context plays a part - the 'production' on those early records was diametrically opposed to the way a British indie release was meant to sound at the time.

I like it better because it's more my style. I do understand why the debut is considered their best though.

The "Darklands" album sounded way better, which was considered a "sellout" by some people.

it has always sounded amazing to me. maybe the cd sucks? i've never heard it on cd. some cds just aren't made very well. barbed wire kisses on cd always sounded good to me. and all the later stuff sounds fine on cd.

To my ears, the CD is slightly inferior to the original LP pressing, but it doesn't really sound like a different album or anything. I think the "Just Like Honey" production is flawless and of course sounded amazing in Lost in Translation.

This wouldn't surprise me. I haven't heard "Psychocandy" on vinyl, but I have the "You Trip Me Up" single and it sounds INCREDIBLE -- 100X bigger and nastier and gorgeous than on CD. The vinyl grooves might be the widest I've seen ... that sucker was mastered LOUD.

I also think that the Peel Sessions versions of the "Psychocandy" tracks are far better than those on the album proper.

I can't see how Geir would dislike "Sunny Sundae Smile" or "Lovely Sweet Darlene".

(ie Loveless is NOT THE ONLY THING THEY DID FFS)

maybe because he's a cloth-eared fuckwit

i never really had a problem with the sound of this record, mainly just the repetitive song structures and general lack of variety. i've reconciled myself to this though over the last few years and now love the record pretty much unconditionally.

so basically u foreced urself to liek it.

sorta deal

It sounds that way on purpose. I like "Darklands" better because it has the vocals more in the forefront of the production.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/noodle_vague/santabot.jpg

well, the current live version of this album sounds absolutely bloody epic.
there are these huge basslines courtesy of phil 'lush/union jackson/etc' king, that i had never heard before tonights rendition in bristol.
i never heard the proper remasters, so have no idea if those editions revealed the bass.
and as for the drums.
wow.
i did not expect to be as impressed as i was.

Still trying (and failing) to “get” this album. I guess you had to be there.

i guess so, what is there to get? it is a good album.

Yeah, you'd have to listen to the top twenty of the chart, and the independant album chart for a bit, and then play it, and then you may have context.

I don't think it's needed, really.

Some might say "Darklands" is the better album now, but.

darklands isn't as distinctive but i certainly prefer it

21 Singles is all I need, really.

Happy birthday, Jim Reid.