On 1989's AUTOMATIC, the Jesus & Mary Chain take the pop-tinged sound of DARKLANDS, and roughen up the edges with a slight industrial tinge. Though it's certainly not a complete return to the ferocity of PSYCHOCANDY, the album does feature a number of revved-up classics by the revered Scottish duo, most notably the razor-sharp "Blues from a Gun," the surging "U.V. Ray," and the gloriously hard-charging "Head On" (covered by the Pixies only two years later). Like its predecessor, AUTOMATIC once again finds singer/guitarists Jim and William Reid joined by a drum machine, resulting in a calculated and clipped aesthetic that perfectly echoes the record's title. Though it's not one of Jesus & Mary Chain's most consistent albums, it features several undeniably great moments.
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Rock and Pop
