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Hard to believe it's been eight years since the Jesus and Mary Chain imploded in 1998. Harder to believe is that the once prolific Reid brothers haven't released much music since then. There's been a few stray releases here and there (Lazycame, Sister Vanilla, and Jim Reid's group Freeheat), but nothing that indicated that they had found a new full time gig that was readu to pick up where they left off. "Back on the Water", Freeheat first full length album, does little to change that notion. The album is a collection of seven studio tracks done back in 1997 by Jim and Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Ben Lurie and 10 tracks recorded live as a four-piece (including members of The Gun Club and Earl Brutus) in 2003. The studio tracks are the best of the bunch, sounding like a collection of Munki-era Jesus and Mary Chain demos (which is essentially what they are). The live tracks don't fair so well, thanks to poor recording and drums that sound completely out of allignment with the rest of the music. While Freeheat's songs are OK, Jim's lyrical tendency for self-loathing anecdotes on sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll are hard to stomach for 17 songs and just a tad bit silly. "Back On The Water" may not make anybody forget "Psychocandy", but it will still appeal to those who remember it fondly.
DAVID MANSDORF
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