Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

February has come and gone very quickly, and the mid-Atlantic region continues to enjoy one of the mildest winters on record. All the warm weather has kept me outdoors as much as possible, but I have still found time to sample some excellent new music. Here is my monthly rundown of some of the discs (jangly and otherwise) that captured my fancy during the past twenty-eight days:

Hot Water Music’s self-titled disc, released on Red Scorpio Records in 1994. I know that some www.fufkin.com readers may already be familiar with this terrific disc, but it represented a gap in my own pop collection … and a very worthy retroactive addition. The opening track, “Make A Wish,” is February’s “song of the month” and is very Beatlesque - so much so, that it will remind listeners of Jamie Hoovers’ two bands, the Spongetones and van de Lecki’s. The disc is packed with jangly, chiming and ringing tunes, and “Julie” features vocal harmonies quite similar to Lowen & Navarro’s pop/rock repertoire. If you can’t find this disc in the used CD bins, you can still order it from www.CDBaby.com.

The Power & Beauty by Hank - another CDBaby acquisition. This 1997 release features some excellent pop/rock with some Crazy Horse-influenced roots-rock thrown in for good measure. Led Zeppelin and Lynard Skynard references are also notable in the band’s tunes. Chalk up yet another disc that owes a considerable debt to Neil Young’s second solo disc, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.

Restoration by Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets - yet another gem from the CDBaby catalog of indie treasures. This is a solid showcase for a jangle’n’twang roots-rock, pop, country-rock and folk-rock band that reminds me of Hangtown, Last Train Home, the Headlights, the Rumors, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, the Jayhawks … get the picture?

The six-song CD-EP by the Damnwells. Refer to the paragraph above about Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets. The same artist references apply to this disc - with some added power pop influences in the melodic tunes. These guys SERIOUSLY merit a full-length disc.

Singer/songwriter Tim Mann’s The Tim Mann Expedition disc - a superb testament to the timelessness of excellent folk/rock. Mann’s original tunes display elements of Roger McGuinn, Cat Stevens and Neil Young ballads, and his version of Gene Clark’s “Spanish Guitar” is hauntingly reminiscent of the original version. Tunes like “Lover’s End,” “When I’m With You,” “King’s Castle,” “Til Tomorrow” and “Yesterday’s Crime” will have www.fufkin.com readers hoping that Mann treats us to a sophomore release sometime soon.

Real Men Cry by the Lost Dogs. I know I mentioned this jangle’n’twang disc last month, but a thorough repeat listening revealed that I had overlooked one of the album’s best tracks - “The Gates Of Eden” - which could pass for either a Velvet Crush or a Teenage Fanclub track - take your pick! This tune is a close second for my February “song of the month.”

The Brambles’ CD-EP (on Jealousy Records - www.jealousy-records.com) that features the wonderfully Beatlesque and jangly tune “Until I Saw You.” Brothers Tim and Lou Anthony have already treated the pop community to two splendid full-length pseudo-60s discs, and now “Until I Saw You,” “It’s Not Me” and “More” will whet our appetites until a third full-length disc is released by the talented twosome. Tim Anthony has also advised me that Jealousy Records has some ambitious plans for 2002 - a George Harrison tribute disc, more artist signings and an online catalog of discs. To keep up with doings, be sure to bookmark Jealousy Record’s website!

Gone Off Pop?!? by Kelly’s Heels. This disc just blows away the competition. “It Wasn’t Me, It Wasn’t You” jangles profusely, but ALL thirteen songs are well-crafted pop tunes that showcase the best elements of 60s (the Kinks), 70s, 80s (the Knack, the Rubinoos) and 90s (Greenberry Woods) pop.

The Process of Belief by Bad Religion. Once a month, I like to mention one of the “heavier” discs in my stereo’s rotation. This month, Bad Religion’s finest effort yet (the tunes are still “in your face” rock songs, but the band is maturing and becoming more melodic) fits the bill. I saw the video for “Sorrow” on the megahertz cable channel, and I was immediately captivated by this heavy, hook-laden tune. It could be a cross between Social Distortion and Big Country. That’s good enough for me.

Off The Laundry by Crosley. When Bruce Brodeen of Not Lame Recordings said this band reminds him of Winter Hours, he wasn’t kidding! “That Something” features a lot of jangle, but the whole disc (with some excellent strummy tunes) represents pop/rock at its finest.

Hostage by Chris Arduser. Cincinnati can now claim singer/songwriter/multi-track artist Chris Arduser as its latest contribution to the primo indie pop scene. “Sugar On My Mind” and the title track are the jangliest tunes, but “One More Crooked Mile,” “Demonize Me,” “Not Listening” and “Sleep In My Shoes” are melodic power pop treats. This is a 2002 release that should vie for Top Ten honors at year’s end.

Everybody Wants To Be A Supertiger by Sweet Apple Pie. Here’s another early 2002 release that should warrant Top Ten consideration. This power pop quintet does it all on the fifteen original songs included on this disc, and “Wardour Street” and “From The Outside” feature the notable chiming, jangly guitars that I favor. Indie pop just gained another “first team” band that has recorded a very impressive debut disc.

Magic Boat by the Cobbwebs. Talk about creating a “buzz” - everyone I have corresponded with during the past month has mentioned this disc. An ambitious 21 songs (there is one “hidden” acapella tune) are included on the trio’s CDR, and none of the songs will disappoint those who enjoy 60s pop. The Cobbwebs will alternately remind you of Jan & Dean, the Beach Boys, the Retros, Jeffrey Foskett, the Cyrkle, the Hollies, the Byrds and a host of other vintage pop bands. Whether it’s surf tunes, Merseybeat or folk/rock, the Cobbwebs have mastered their material. The 12-string guitars chime conspicuously on “Don’t Ever Leave Me Again,” “Take Me Back,” “Don’t Put Me Down” and “And That’s All.” It shouldn’t surprise you to know that this disc, too, will compete for Top Ten honors in calendar year 2002.

All-American Popster by veteran pop artist Billy Sullivan. Sullivan’s pop/rock songcraft merits comparison with Jeffrey Foskett, Bill Lloyd, Adrian Belew, Richard X. Heyman, Rich Arithmetic, Jamie Hoover and Herb Eimerman. Sullivan’s original tunes are wonderful … and his cover versions of Lennon/McCartney and Brian Wilson tunes aren’t too shabby either! Twelve-string enthusiasts will be quite pleased with songs like “Go Crazy,” “The Girl Downstairs,” the very Byrdsian (those “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” chords are still popular 37 years later!) “Everywhere I Go,” “Nowhere Fast” and (the lesser-known Hollies tune) “When Your Lights Turned On.” Long may you run, Sir Billy!

Noxajoy by the Yell Leaders. “I Am Energy” jangles, but this disc (yipes, one more superb 2002 release!) shines throughout. Some tunes rock in the vein of Ghost of An American Airman; others favor mid-60s Jefferson Airplane psych-pop. Add one more excellent band to Wisconsin’s family of talented indie pop artists.

Also heard during the past month: Joyce Hotel by the Crack City Rockers (on the Paisley Pop label). This isn’t pop/rock for the timid - 70s influences like the Rolling Stones and Patti Smith are very evident in the disc’s ten snarly and energetic tracks, but I also hear some vintage Roky Erickson/Thirteenth Floor Elevator references in these tunes. Last but not least, the talented D.C. area pop band, Moodroom, will release its first full-length disc, Hung Up On Breathing, in mid-March. There’s lots of drum loops and sampling, and some fine lead vocals from Stef Magro. “Loving” is a terrific opening song, and the quintet even embellishes the ballad “Searching” with some nice jangly riffs. I regard Moodroom’s music as alternative psych-pop, with some very positive references to artists like Heather Nova, Magnapop and Sun 60.

It’s been a long time since this many discs, acquired in such a finite period, have impressed me from start to finish. Whatever the reason for this rich “bumper crop” of classic pop material, I am certainly not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Until next month, jangle on … or keep on rockin’ in the free world!

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