The Sound of Speed


The Sound of Speed is a compilation of singles and rare tracks by Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain.
The track listing below is for the version released in most of the world - the Japanese version dropped "Snakedriver", "Something I Can't Have", "Write Record Release Blues", "Tower of Song", "Little Red Rooster", "Lowlife" and "Reverberation", but added "Subway", "In the Black", "Terminal Beach" and "I'm Glad I Never".
It reached #15 on the UK albums chart.

Critical reception

The Independent gave the compilation a mixed review, writing that "the most interesting tracks here are the cover versions of songs like 'Guitarman', 'Little Red Rooster', and Leonard Cohen's 'Tower of Song', whose exhausted languor makes a surprisingly smooth transfer to Mary Chain mode".

Track listing

All songs written by Jim Reid and William Reid, except where noted.
;LP
Side 1
  1. "Snakedriver" – 3:44
  2. "Reverence " – 5:39
  3. "Heat" – 3:00
  4. "Teenage Lust " – 2:25
  5. "Why'd You Want Me?" – 3:15
  6. "Don't Come Down" – 2:39
  7. "Guitarman" – 3:43
  8. "Something I Can't Have" – 3:02
Side 2
  1. "Sometimes" – 2:53
  2. "Write Record Release Blues" – 2:58
  3. "Shimmer" – 2:46
  4. "Penetration" – 2:48
  5. "My Girl" – 3:05
  6. "Tower of Song" – 4:49
  7. "Little Red Rooster" – 3:25
  8. "Break Me Down" – 2:29
  9. "Lowlife" – 3:27
;CD
  1. "Snakedriver" – 3:44
  2. "Reverence " – 5:39
  3. "Heat" – 3:00
  4. "Teenage Lust " – 2:25
  5. "Why'd You Want Me?" – 3:15
  6. "Don't Come Down" – 2:39
  7. "Guitarman" – 3:43
  8. "Something I Can't Have" – 3:02
  9. "Sometimes" – 2:53
  10. "Write Record Release Blues" – 2:58
  11. "Shimmer" – 2:46
  12. "Penetration" – 2:48
  13. "My Girl" – 3:05
  14. "Tower of Song" – 4:49
  15. "Little Red Rooster" – 3:25
  16. "Break Me Down" – 2:29
  17. "Lowlife" – 3:27
  18. "Deviant Slice" – 3:01
  19. "Reverberation" – 3:46
  20. "Sidewalking " – 7:52

    Original releases

The Jesus and Mary Chain