The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities

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The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities is a box set by the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, released on November 19, 2007. It collects material from their earlier compilations Barbed Wire Kisses, The Sound of Speed and The Jesus and Mary Chain Hate Rock 'n' Roll, along with unreleased tracks and rarities from across their career. The collection includes early performances, unheard demos, remixes, alternate versions, and bootlegs.

Critics saw it as a revealing look at the band. AllMusic’s Matt Collar said the box captures a more honest side of the group, noting their unexpected love for 60s sunshine pop, surf rock, and even hip-hop, all filtered through a Phil Spector-style wall of sound created with guitar. He argued it isn’t the full story, but it reveals a lot of behind-the-scenes work and both A- and B-side material.

Chart Attack’s Aaron Brophy praised how the band redefined rock ’n’ roll and helped push the sound forward, despite the challenges faced by two Glasgow brothers.

All tracks are written by Jim Reid and William Reid, except where noted.