Brian Jonestown Massacre, next to the Black Angels and the Warlocks, the main protagonists of the neo-psychedelia, were founded in 1988 in San Francisco by singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Anton Newcombe. As their leader with a penchant for the early Stones, he is one of the few constants of the band. Many line-up changes in the line-up in the over 25 years of band history act as a hallmark of BJM as the musical style changes, which were often carried out from album to album. One can never be quite sure what and what genre a awaits their next output. But a good quantum of psychedelic will certainly be there. In this country, they are unfortunately still an insider tip. Some notoriety they achieved entitled "Straight Up And Down" (from the album "Take It From The Man!", 1996), which was used as accompaniment of the leader of the US series "Boardwalk Empire".
On their second album "Methodrone" from the year 1995, the wayward lords of BJM indulge partly the powerful Shoegaze- and Drone sound in the best tradition of Velvet Underground. Vocally near Robert Smith (The Cure) and Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs), have music stopped somewhere between My Bloody Valentine and where Jesus And Mary Chain with "Darklands", this album is settled. With its slower, always voranschreitendem in sluggish tempo style, it gives you the feeling to have originated in a remote and dark, dirty garage in the middle of sunny California.
Hypnotic in his way and enriched with tons of used guitars and feedback effects among the almost ten minutes long distortion orgy "hyperventilation" one of the highlights of the album. Sometimes it takes a little while until the songs get to the point ("crushed"), but that's not so bad. With "She's Made Me", "I Love You" or the opener "Evergreen" will also quickly catchy Dream-Pop titles on offer, while "That Girl Suicide" can come up with a certain late Sixties-Touch.
"Methodrone" does not lend itself to fast between, listening. One should already take time and leisure and enjoy it as a whole; so also quieter songs like "End Of The Day" or the leisurely "She's Gone" come to their fullest potential. With his guitar-heavy, dirty earthiness one pulls this album slowly but surely into its spell. Only after repeated enjoyment it creeps into your ears and leaves a lasting impression.
As one little nuisance I feel at times the vocals of two background singers Elise Dye and Paola Simmonds, who belonged interestingly, even on "Methodrone" the band occupation. They give one or another title a slightly sweet, elfin touch that fits everywhere. However, this is the quality of the album do not detract. In its intoxicating intensity it has the unique traits of a timeless classic for me.
Although also all find the title "Wisdom," "She's Gone", "That Girl Suicide" and "Evergreen" at the 2004 appeared Band Compilation "Tepid Peppermint Wonderland" again, speaks for this album, especially the cohesion of the songs, the listener convey a compact overall impression in their unity.
Brian Jonestown Massacre's "Methodrone" was re-released on Anton Newcombe's A Records in 2007 and is, like some other of their albums as well as 180g double-LP, in transparent blue vinyl available.
