Automatic (The Jesus and Mary Chain album)

Automatic represents the third full-length release by the Scottish alternative rock group the Jesus and Mary Chain, issued on 9 October 1989 through Blanco y Negro Records. The album primarily showcases the Reid brothers, William and Jim, supported by drum machine rhythms and synthesized bass lines. Richard Thomas, who joined their live lineup as a drummer, played drums on the track "Gimme Hell." Thomas had formerly been part of Dif Juz and contributed to recordings by Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil.

Reception

At the time of its release, critical responses were varied, largely influenced by the use of electronic drums and bass. Nevertheless, Automatic includes "Blues from a Gun," which became the band's most successful single in the United States up to that point, alongside "Head On," a song later covered by the Pixies. Over time, both critics and fans have come to view the album more favorably; in 2006, Pitchfork recognized it as a high point in their career despite earlier dismissals.

The vinyl LP versions exclude the last two songs, "Drop" and "Sunray."

Additionally, the album is mentioned in the lyrics of "The Authority Song" by emo band Jimmy Eat World from their 2001 release Bleed American: "the DJ never has it, JAMC Automatic."

Track listing

All songs composed by Jim Reid and William Reid.

LP (BYN 20), limited gatefold LP (BYN 20W), and cassette (BYNC 20)

Side one

1. "Here Comes Alice" – 3:53
2. "Coast to Coast" – 4:13
3. "Blues from a Gun" – 4:44
4. "Between Planets" – 3:27
5. "UV Ray" – 4:06

Side two

1. "Her Way of Praying" – 3:46
2. "Head On" – 4:11
3. "Take It" – 4:34
4. "Halfway to Crazy" – 3:40
5. "Gimme Hell" – 3:20

CD (BYNCD 20)

1. "Here Comes Alice" – 3:53
2. "Coast to Coast" – 4:13
3. "Blues from a Gun" – 4:44
4. "Between Planets" – 3:27
5. "UV Ray" – 4:06
6. "Her Way of Praying" – 3:46
7. "Head On" – 4:11
8. "Take It" – 4:34
9. "Halfway to Crazy" – 3:40
10. "Gimme Hell" – 3:20
11. "Drop" – 1:58
12. "Sunray" – 1:34

The Jesus and Mary Chain

• Jim Reid – vocals on tracks 2, 4–10; guitar; synthesizer; drum programming; production
• William Reid – vocals on tracks 1, 3, and 11; guitar; synthesizer; drum programming; production

Additional personnel

• Alan Moulder – engineering
• Jamie Harley – recording assistant
• Lee Curle – recording assistant
• Dick Meaney – mixing assistant
• Richard Thomas – drums on "Gimme Hell"
• Ryan Art – design
• Steve Mitchell – photography
• Andrew Catlin – photography

Charts

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Chart performance for Automatic

Chart (1989–1990)	Highest position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	89
European Albums (Music & Media)	47

By May 1998, Automatic had achieved sales nearing 60,000 units in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.