Psychocandyby The Jesus And Mary Chain

Combining noise with conventional pop/rock, the Jesus and Mary Chain were probably the first noise pop band to hit the underground scene in the mid-'80s. Their 1985 debut album 'Psychocandy' remains their essential document. Showcasing plain, poppy melodies, lackadaisical vocals, incredibly simplistic drumming (only a snare drum and a floor tom are used here), and piercing feedback, the Jesus and Mary Chain fashioned a sound all their own that would become highly influential for the next decade on.

While all of the songs on 'Psychocandy' are quite good (especially in context), the best are definitely the singles. Perhaps the band's most well-known song, "Just Like Honey" opens the album. One of the least noisy songs on the album, it's a simple, almost ballad-esque tune featuring some female backing vocals at the end. "Never Understand" was the first single released from the album and is very Ramones-esque in its delivery. "You Trip Me Up" is probably more indicative of the band's overall sound then any other song here. Other highlights include "The Hardest Walk" and the very short "Taste of Cindy". Originally a non-album single, "Some Candy Talking" was added to the 1986 CD release; it fits in well with the rest of the material.

While not a "huge" album, 'Psychocandy' has an impressive legacy. Without it, the vast majority of the shoegaze genre that would soon take off would cease to be. In addition, a lot of mainstream and alternative also became a bit more willingly noisy in the '90s, much of which can be attributed to this album and the bands that in inspired. While the Jesus and Mary Chain would never match the quality of their debut on subsequent on albums, 'Psychocandy' remains a pivotal album in the history of alternative music.