Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

If January is any indication of the quality of music that we will be exposed to in 2002, we’re in for quite a treat! Here is my monthly recap of some of the discs (jangly and otherwise) that captured my fancy during the first month of 2002:

The Dreamdayers’ All Things Come. Stunning - a 2001 release by an Australian power pop band that would have been in my Top Ten list for last year if I had heard it two months sooner. This is as fine a debut album as I have encountered in a long, long time. The eleven tunes are well-crafted and the disc gets stronger with each song - until it reaches a Beatlesque (“It’s All Too Much”) psych/pop finale with “Goodbye.” Along the way, songs like “Elizabeth Smiles” and “Yesterday’s Gone” will have you convinced that you are listening to some of Nick Heyward’s finest solo material. The original tunes jangle in all the right places, and the vocals are superb. The album’s contents also remind me of classic Posies material and more recent songs by the Rumors. “The Hardest Words” also brings back fond memories of “Dream Of A Day” by the High Back Chairs. All Things Come is a timeless gem that will receive lots of play for years to come. Enough said!

The self-titled disc by Jimmy Eat World. Okay, so maybe this band is no longer in the struggling indie artist category - don’t hold that against these guys. This is one excellent disc. I wouldn’t have acquired the disc if I hadn’t read a favorable “Best of 2001” review of the disc in the Arizona Republic newspaper. The songs bounce back and forth between alternative rock (“Bleed American”) and mainstream pop (“The Middle”), with recognizable references to bands like Bush, the Foo Fighters and the Goo Goo Dolls. “A Praise Chorus” even borrows the refrain “Crimson and Clover” as part of its upbeat chorus. Whether the songs feature electric or acoustic guitar, or the tempo is slow or fast, the vocals are on the mark and the production is excellent. This is one of those albums that will help bridge the generation gap between Boomers and their kids!

Amnesia Lane by Bob Beland. Indie artist Bob Beland has participated in a variety of musical genres since the late 60s, and he’s enjoyed a front row seat to many of the finest west coast pop/rock acts. Amnesia Lane showcases the pseudo-60s pop predisposition of Beland’s singer/songwriter skills. The entire album is fun to listen to, but the Byrdsian “Everywhere” is my hands-down favorite song. The song construction, Beland’s vocals and the jangly undercurrent remind me a great deal of Fire Town and contemporary pop artist Jeremy Morris.

Oblivious by the Parallax Project. Never heard of this band? That’s because this is a nifty collection of tunes by Mike Giblin (of Cherry Twister) and a group of very talented friends (including guitarist Pete Kennedy). Many of the songs feature a signature Cherry Twister sound - and that means that there’s lots of Beatlesque power pop material to enjoy. Standout tunes include “Sometimes,” “City Rain,” “Take A Walk,” the lovely ballad “”When I Die,” “Definitely Maybe” and “Step Right Up.” Giblin proves again that he has his finger on the pulse of power pop.

I Don’t Mind by Still (Wade Biery and bandmates). This is a solid pop/rock album that should appeal to fans of Del Amitri, Mannix and Paxton. From start to finish, it features well-crafted songs. Tops in my play list are the title song, “Another Day,” “It’s Not Enough” and “Goodbye.” Biery’s/Still’s appealing hooks and riffs should attract the attention of L.A.’s film-makers and TV producers, who are becoming more enamored with the wealth of indie pop material that is available for soundtrack use.

Real Men Cry by the Lost Dogs. An album of roots-rock/pop with some jangle’n’twang thrown in for good measure. The chiming lead guitar on “A Certain Love” should catch most listeners’ ears, but “Golden Dreams,” “No Shadow Of Turning” and “Wild Ride” are also deserving of indie airplay.

The re-mastered and re-released (by To M’Lou) Valentino’s Pirates by the Dave Rave Group. Okay, so we’ve heard some of these songs on Rave’s subsequent recordings; pop fans will still enjoy hearing them in their infancy - when they were being recorded using four-track technology in the late 80s. Gary Pig Gold has resurrected another gem from the Gary Pig Gold/Dave Rave/Shane Faubert archives. One never gets tired of listening to primo pop - and there’s plenty of it on Valentino’s Pirates.

Boxing Day by the Windbreakers. The tireless and industrious Jim Huie of Paisley Pop (www.paisleypop.com) has released yet another excellent “limited edition” disc that features a December 1986 live performance by Tim Lee and Bobby Sutliff (and a supporting cast). Those familiar with the Windbreakers’ mid-tempo studio recordings will quickly note the rawer energy that is present in these live tracks - reminiscent of early REM and Plimsouls live recordings. Sutliff and Lee still manage to crank out some jangly riffs in this collection of original songs and cover tunes - particularly on their cover of the Byrds’ “So You Want To Be A Rock’n’Roll Star.” Snap this disc up while it’s available. Long may you run, Sir Bobby and Sir Tim!

Firewall by the Humbles. The two Rickenbacker guitars on the cover give an accurate clue of this album’s contents. “Like You” is a wonderful jangly anthem; but the combination of chiming guitars and lush harmony vocals is also evident on “One Day,” “Only One Hope” and “High Ground.” They all remind me of songs that were AM radio hits in the mid-60s … and that means they’re hits on my “play list” in 2002!

Fruitless Thoughts And Lullaby by Rockaway Cobra. I didn’t check to see where this band is from, but the terrific mid-tempo tunes on this disc all sound like they could have come from the contemporary school of Midwestern jangly power pop. You’ll be tapping your toes and humming along to “Moving Chairs,” “Standing Down,” “She Can Run,” “One Wish,” “Atrophy,” “True You Do,” “Trap Door” and “Now It’s Time.”

Religion by Follin. The good folks at Miles of Music (AKA the “Queen and her Court”) have discovered another pop gem in Scandinavia - Christer Follin, whose surname provides the band moniker. Standout tunes include the title track, “Gloria,” “Try Again,” “Around The World With You,” “Our Love” and “I Can Fly.” Depending on the track, you’ll swear that you are listening to World Party, Tom Petty, George Harrison or fellow Scandinavian pop artists This Perfect Day. Long may you run, Sir Christer!

The self-titled disc by Fifth Year Crush. Every one of the eight songs on this disc is excellent, and the crisp tunes (“2:12,” “Shoebox,” “Try”) will remind pop listeners of the Shambles, the Rumors and Three Walls Down. If these guys never release a full-length disc, they have already recorded eight more top-notch songs than a lot of major label artists have!

Zoe Goes Crazy by the Judybloom. This disc features a heaping helping of mid-tempo and jangly pop tunes. The more I listened to this band, the more they reminded me of Javelin Boot. “Supernova,” “Crazy Train,” “Lemon And Lime,” “Donna Maria Way,” “A Buddha Song” and “Every Month Is May” will leave you smiling.

The latest offering from pop virtuoso Doug Powell - his Venus Demilo’s Arms EP. Surprise, surprise - more wonderfully layered Beatlesque and jangly pop from a guy who does it so well!

Two very cool discs from one of pop’s most talented yet underheralded journeymen - Parthenon Huxley. If you visit his website at www.parthenonhuxley.com you may be able to order a copy of his late 80s Sunny Nights (originally released on vinyl and cassette) album and an advance copy of The Orchestra’s No Rewind. “Let Me Dream,” “Can’t Wait To See You,” “I Could Write A Book,” “Say Goodbye” and “Over London Skies” have that classic ELO sound. Somebody please give this disc a proper label release so others can enjoy it! While visiting Parthenon’s site, you may also discover the rest of his superb solo and band releases.

Other new titles worthy of note: Thread by Cletus Kennelly - a nice assortment of folk/pop tunes with support from D.C. area musical friends; Last House On The Left by Craig Jackson - an excellent indie release that features some jangly pop/rock that reminds me of Pete Droge; Redemption Center - the first full-length disc by talented Ghost Rockets alum Mick Hargreaves; and Parts of My Bicycle Are Made of Chrome by Taggart - some pop/rock with a snarly attitude not unlike the Replacements (check out the jangly and psychedelic tune “Everything Pales”).

Last but not least, a “welcome back” to pop writer Alan Haber, who has been focusing much of his attention on newly released 60s material. If you missed Alan’s “Pure Pop” perspective on all things pop, look no further than the pages of this site to enjoy his thoughts and reviews once again.

Jangle on … or keep on rockin’ in the free world!

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