Jasmine Minks - I Heard I Wish it Would Rain

  by Daniel Cressey

published: 14 / 6 / 2003

Label: Bus Stop
Format: CDS

intro

Passionate and empowering indie pop from Scots 80's trio Jasmine Minks, back on the comeback trail after some years away

The Jasmine Minks were one of the most incredible bands ever to come out of Creation Records. They reformed in 2001, after splitting up in 1990 and their passion alone is enough to earn them respect. Besides this passion, they have a love for music, a love for expression, and open minds. Their last LP 'Popartglory' (released on Alan McGee’s Poptones label) was a modern indie-pop rock classic. Before 'Popartglory', The Minks released an indie album through their own Genius Move label and MP3.com. This album, the 'Veritas' LP was filled with instrumental and electronic beats, bleeps and booms. It did, however, have three songs with lyrics! Remixed, re-mastered, and re-done, these three songs have now found their way onto a new EP, 'I Heard I Wish It Would Rain', which has been released on The Bus Stop Label. The title track is a beautiful and poignant track with female backing vocals and an emotional crescendo. “…Coming to an end of an era / massively defeated by fate / It’s not the end for you…” It’s positive, it’s poignant, and has in it everything there is to love about indie-pop. The mixture of the female and male vocals work extremely well. I hope the Minks attempt more of this in future recordings. Another treat is that the song is extended from the original version on the 'Veritas' LP. The extension gives the song a more important epic quality. 'Blown Away' is another soft and emotional track. While it is the least catchy track on the EP, the passion in Jim Shepard’s voice is remarkable! 'Blown Away' is like a theme song for a precious moment in a film. 'Learn To Suffer' is the final track on the album. Unfortunately, it is cut short compared to the longer version on 'Veritas'. Still, the emotion and the vibe are captured. The thick electronic drum track pounds along as mystical organ melodies dance over the rhythm. “…I can see through you / I've seen the things you do / I know the words you say / Won't sway or change my view/ But I want you to aspire /To all those things you desire / I won't stand in your way / No way, let your spirit dictate…” Once again, the lyrics have both a strength and a vulnerability. The chorus is not only mature but somewhat empowering: “You've got to - Learn to suffer / Suffer to learn / Cause no pain brings no gain /But it's a fast track for change” Don’t you love the truth in lyrics? Unlike many people, I was honored to hear the original demo version of 'Learn To Suffer', which does not have the thick drum beat. The original version was the one I fell in love with but this version is incredible nonetheless. The Scot-pop of The Jasmine Minks always was beautiful. Their music has always been empowering to their listener. One of their first singles 'Think!' had the angry and victorious line “You think you’re the answer to it all – but your not!”. This passion, aggression, anger all mixed with a vulnerability makes The Minks a magnificent band. The Jasmine Minks have not lost any of their passion, their power, or their love for music. While I always wondered why these 3 incredible songs never made it on to 'Popartglory', I can now see why. 'I Heard ‘I Wish It Would Rain’, '“Blown Away' and '“Learn To Suffer' make an outstanding EP. These songs have everything we love about the vintage Jasmine Minks along with everything new that inspires them. I would hate to “learn to suffer” without the Minks.

Track Listing:-