[01.02] It's kinda ironic. First, pale, pimply kids from rainy Scotland churn out an unholy combination of Beach Boys and other sunny West Coast-sounds drenched in Velvet Underground and East Coast white noise. (Yes, that would be the Jesus and Mary Chain.) Then, from the sunny West Coast (LA via SF) comes a band that takes the JAMC sound and blends it with brit pop. I guess the grass is always greener…

Well, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club could be accused of ripping off JAMC, but truth be told, barring Psychocandy, they've improved on the Reid Bros' formula with better hooks and more consistent song-writing. In an era of reverential references to the greats of black-leather rock (whether it's The Strokes, White Stripes or The Hives), the time might be right for BRMC to gain a broader audience. And that's a good thing. —Nils