What makes The Sound of Speed by The Jesus and Mary Chain notable?

This album showcases the band's continued influence on the alternative rock genre, particularly with its reception among critics who praised its blend of noise and melody. Notably, it includes the radio mix of 'Reverence', which gained significant airplay, helping to solidify the band's place in the '90s music landscape. By 1993, The Jesus and Mary Chain had established themselves as pivotal figures in the alternative rock scene with their previous albums, particularly 'Automatic' in 1990. 'The Sound of Speed' serves as a bridge between their earlier noise pop roots and the more polished sound they would explore in later releases. This compilation reflects their evolution while featuring new versions and mixes of existing tracks.

Who is The Sound of Speed for?

The Sound of Speed works well if you're into dynamic journey with varied intensity, wave-like pacing for exploration and haunting melodies that linger.

How many songs are on The Sound of Speed?

The Sound of Speed has 20 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.

The Sound of Speed

The Jesus and Mary Chain · 1993

70 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock

A swirling mix of feedback and melody that captures the raw energy of alternative rock in the early '90s.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Snakedriver — Opening with a driving beat and haunting vocals, this track exemplifies the band’s signature blend of noise and melody that defines their sound.
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Reverence (radio mix) — This version highlights the song's anthemic qualities, making it one of the standout tracks that helped garner mainstream attention for the band.
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Teenage Lust (acoustic version) — The acoustic arrangement strips down the original's distortion, revealing a tender vulnerability that adds depth to the band's lyrical themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album blends noise and melody effectively, showcasing the band's established sound while exploring new arrangements.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layers of feedback and reverb, creating a dense soundscape that contrasts with melodic hooks.
The inclusion of both studio versions and acoustic takes showcases the band's versatility in arrangement and style.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with varied intensity
wave-like pacing for exploration
haunting melodies that linger
for reflective afternoons
inviting sing-alongs with friends

Maybe skip if you

seek instant gratification
prefer straightforward structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry that showcases their sound but isn't a standout in accessibility or recognition.
Career context: By 1993, The Jesus and Mary Chain had established themselves as pivotal figures in the alternative rock scene with their previous albums, particularly 'Automatic' in 1990. 'The Sound of Speed' serves as a bridge between their earlier noise pop roots and the more polished sound they would explore in later releases. This compilation reflects their evolution while featuring new versions and mixes of existing tracks.
Stylistic neighbors: My Bloody Valentine· Slowdive· Spiritualized