User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Power Of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Power Of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

  • Summary: The four-disc collection of B-sides and rare recordings from the Scottish band.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    90
    The Power of Negative Thinking isn't the whole JAMC story, but it's the whole story behind the scenes and A-side singles, and sometimes the B-sides. Even better.
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    What's most surprising is the strength of the original B-sides, such as the shoegazed summer dream "Happy Place," girl group siphon "Suck," and bassist Ben Lurie's "Rocket," which could easily reside on any of JAMC's studio LPs and absolutely trump anything by the band's innumerable acolytes.
  3. Paste Magazine
    87
    Rarely does a track on this set demand skipping, and even the scant missteps are worth at least a few listens--like any great band, the JAMC lived and learned.
  4. The Guardian
    80
    Devoid of the melodies that lurked beneath the feedback on their remarkable debut album Psychocandy, they give a flavour of what their chaotic, violent gigs must have sounded like, but if the Jesus and Mary Chain had only sounded like that, no one would have cared.
  5. Magnet
    80
    The Power Of Negative Thinking is a weighty, absorbing, often hugely entertaining and occasionally thrilling curio. JAMC completists will love it, but four CDs’ worth?
  6. Filter
    78
    Cool is a fleet-footed concept, and revisiting JAMC--particularly the new content--is a genuinely pleasant experience. [Fall 2008, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    Their rock'n'roll commitment is beyond doubt, although casual observers might want to wait for their promised new album. [Dec 2008, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JohnS
    Nov 7, 2008
    10
    The box set is the culmination to the power of negative thinking skills. Do not know the band yet? It is not the best option... it is so like The box set is the culmination to the power of negative thinking skills. Do not know the band yet? It is not the best option... it is so like throwing diamonds to pigs... Just for music "appreciators" General Public Performance not allowed.… Expand
  2. micho224
    Nov 8, 2011
    8
    As this is a collection of b-sides and rarities from JAMC it is probably not the best entry point if you want an introduction to the band,As this is a collection of b-sides and rarities from JAMC it is probably not the best entry point if you want an introduction to the band, however for fans there are approx 80 tracks worth of JAMC fan service. Only recommended to fans of JAMC and people who enjoy noise/shoegaze music.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best Album of 2008