The Jesus And Mary Chain - Never Understand (Blanco Y Negro)

If my name was Gallup this one would shoot through the Top 40 like a laser gun through lard. Over a sublime racket of whistling guitars bobs a breezy melody curiously reminiscent of The Beach Boys. Its simplicity and individuality amid countless, cowardly records in the review pile striving to sound like each other is nothing short of exhilarating. Good vibrations. Single Of The Fortnight. (Andy Kershaw, Smash Hits, February 28, 1985)

The Jesus & Mary Chain re-invent the Ramones via the Beach Boys, a buzzsaw factory and several low-flying aircraft. It's a strangely compulsive record, but though it is hardly a classic - this is being championed by sections of the music press as the punk revival landmark of the century. Magic messiahs? Me thinks not. (Dylan Jones, Record Mirror, February 23, 1985)

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Happy When It Rains (blanco y negro)

Oh, I'm SO BORED with all these bands who should've been on the West Coast in 1967 supporting the Byrds! The JAMC trot out yet one more predictable single and try to make a happy record, but end up sounding wetter than this week's weather. Why is it so popular to sing about rain all of a sudden, too? (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, August 8, 1987)

It's good to see something makes the Brothers Grimm smile! I listen to the first opening notes with breath a-baited. 'April Skies' was too successful for their liking; Mike Smith loved it. So their next single would not be so commercial. The world asked itself "Would they go back to their electric guitar bashing and drilling days?" 'Fraid not, they're still as brilliant as ever. Looks like Mike Smith will like this one too - something else for the Chain to moan about. (Anita Strymowicz, No 1, August 8, 1987)