Gene Loves Jezebel - Discover (1986)

Album Review:

The album that launched Gene Loves Jezebel in America, Discover caught the British band perfectly poised between their post-punk gothy past and their arena future. The centerpiece was, of course, "Desire," the clarion cry of rock's late-'80s future, all yelps and pervasive riffs strafed by searing leads, and an insistent chorus that defied listeners not to shout along. Initial copies of the U.S. album featured the original single's mix with guitarist Ian Hudson, later ones were graced by an even more powerful version, turned into a sonic roar by producer Peter Walsh, and showcasing the group's new guitarist, James Stevenson. Stevenson's arrival helped set the stage for a serious shift in the band's musical direction, a reinvention of the Jezzie sound into a more rock-friendly, pop-esque style. The two versions of "Desire" illustrate that point to perfection. But at the time of recording, old and new styles, pop and goth, all filtered into the mix, and miraculously were held shimmeringly together. Miraculously, because during the recording, producer Gary Lyons suffered a heart attack, forcing the album to be completed by one of the engineers, Mike Dearnley. Regardless, Discover has a coherent feel, all awash in atmosphere, yet still giving Stevenson's sonic guitar plenty of room to maneuver. His bright riffs and Ronson-esque leads often take center stage, but he was equally willing to add the darker, brooding riffs that were the band's previous trademark, and on "A White Horse" he even pays tribute to the Banshee's signature drone. The highlight of these darkwave delights is "Beyond Doubt," which began life as an instrumental B-side. Stevenson's delicate guitar work imbues the haunting melody with ethereal lightness and paradoxically haunting depth. The yearning lead vocals add to the song's power, while the soaring falsetto backups send shivers down one's spine. In contrast were the brash pop/rock numbers like "Desire," "Heartache," and "Sweetest Thing." This was GLJ at it's best, as the band came together in a perfect wedding of all parties, sounds, and styles. Stadium guitar, Bauhausian experimentation, pop, and goth all combined to make a truly unforgettable album. –by Jo-Ann Greene, allmusic.com.


Album Details:

Artist: Gene Loves Jezebel
Album: Discover
Label: Geffen Records / Beggars Banquet Ltd.
Catalogue #: 9 24118-2
Matrix: DIDX-002030 2
Bar Code: 7 2064-24118-2 7
Format: CD
Type: Album
Country: US (Made in U.S.A. / Printed in U.S.A.)
Release Date: 1986
Number of Discs: 1
Language: English
Time: 36:16
Rating: 4.5 stars (allmusic.com)
Genre: Pop/Rock
Styles: Alternative Pop/Rock, Goth Rock, Dance-Rock, Glam Rock


Tracklist:

01. Heartache - 4:22
02. Over the Rooftops - 3:12
03. Kick - 3:10
04. White Horse - 3:09
05. Wait and See - 3:23
06. Desire (Come and Get It) - 3:18
07. Beyond Doubt - 4:23
08. Sweetest Thing - 3:12
09. Maid of Sker - 4:25
10. Brand New Moon - 3:41


Lineage:

SilverCD -> EAC (Test & Copy Image & Create CUE Sheet > Uncompressed / Secure Mode / Offset Corrected / WAV 1411 Kbit/s / 44100 Hz / 16 Bits / 2 Channels) -> FLAC frontend -> FLAC (compression level 8) -> AvaxHome


Extra info:

- Cuesheet files included (WAV & FLAC).
- EAC extraction LOG file included.
- Codec used for lossless compression: libFLAC 1.2.1 20070917
- Samplerate: 44100 Hz Stereo / Bitrate: 16 bits.
- Full artwork, 300 dpi, jpg format in highest quality.
- All tracks accurately ripped.