Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

Signs of spring are everywhere … and this means that new discs will have to be played on the portable CD player that I listen to while I relax outside on my backyard deck. It’s tough to beat the combination of warm, sunny weather and pop music! Here is my rundown of some of the jangly (and not so jangly) discs that captured my fancy during the month of March:

Every Other Sunday by Badger. Not Lame guru Bruce Brodeen has found yet another Scandinavian gem in Norway’s Badger. From the opening title track through the closing “Sound Of Summer,” this disc truly deserves the “very highly recommended” accolades! The organ on “Every Other Sunday” reminds me of the organ riff in the great early 90s tune “This Is How It Feels” by the Inspiral Carpets. Badger’s songs share the same appealing sound with artists like the Kwyet Kings, This Perfect Day, the Connells and Teenage Fanclub. In addition, “It Won’t Last Forever” could pass for a Feelies tune. There’s a lot of crunch’n’jangle, plenty of chiming guitars … and the chord progression from the Byrds’ “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” is reprised on several tunes - “Every Other Sunday” and “Tonight I Feel Like Ringo Starr.” The first line of the closing song is “The sound of summer is the sound of a 12-string guitar.” It’s hard to argue with this sentiment!

Charley Dush’s self-titled and self-released disc (available from www.koolkatmusik.com). Thank you, Ray Gianchetti, for turning me on to this disc! The cover depicts a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, so that alone is enough to draw my attention. The nine original songs contain Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boy references … and Charley’s song style is similar to contemporary artists like Herb Eimerman and Jamie Rounds. Standout jangly tunes include “How I Feel,” “Gotta Get Back” and “Wilson Avenue.” Hope there’s more where these songs came from, Charley!

Speaking of Herb Eimerman, his third solo disc Same Wish is now available. Although the fifteen tracks are more acoustic than electric, Herb’s melodic and strummy 12-string guitars are in abundance throughout the disc. “All That Matters” made my March 2002 “jingle-jangle” countdown.

Speaking of the talented Jamie Rounds, Jamie is now collaborating with John Wicks as the lead guitarist of the latest iteration of the “John Wicks and the Records” band. Perhaps this combination of pop songwriting skills will finally draw the well-deserved attention of movie and TV producers who are seeking catchy soundtrack tunes. If nothing else, Los Angeles area pop fans are in for quite a treat when Jamie and John team up on stage. Let’s hope that their synergy generates overdue recognition for each of these fine pop artists.

The Foolkillers’ Out Of State Miracle, released on the superb Paisley Pop label (www.paisleypop.com). As the liner notes explain, this is a compilation of recordings primarily from the late 80s and early 90s by a band that was heavily influenced by the Paisley Underground movement. There are sixteen tracks on the disc, and they are all primo slabs of psych-pop. Chiming guitars highlight “Into The Light,” “I Dream” and “Rainy Days.” Paisley Pop Prez Jim Huie believes the band sounds a lot like the Yardbirds, but veteran listeners will also hear some classic Jefferson Airplane riffs in the song “Stand By Myself” … that segue nicely into some familiar Led Zeppelin riffs. There are some strong vocal and instrumental similarities to Roky Erikson’s legendary mid-60s psych-pop band, the Thirteenth Floor Elevators. Fans of Guadalcanal Diary and Right As Rain will also definitely dig this limited edition disc.

Turn On With The Stoneage Hearts by the Stoneage Hearts (available from yet another of my favorite indie labels, Off The Hip, at www.offthehip.com.au). “So Glad That You’re Gone” is a chiming masterpiece that has gotten lots of play on my stereo, but all eleven tracks are further evidence that the Aussie power pop scene is quite strong. The disc features high-energy power pop that deserves favorable comparison with the Hoodoo Gurus, the Finkers, the Chevelles and the Pyramidiacs.

Let The Chicks Fall Where They May and Forever And A Day by the Sprague Brothers (Frank and Chris). I have indie pop artist, Bill Retoff, to thank for learning about this brother tandem that cranks out some of the coolest retro pop around. The Sprague Brothers can sound like the Everly Brothers on one track, the Beatles on another song, and the Bobby Fuller Four on still another song. They also play some very nifty instrumental tracks. Those with an ear for jangly and chiming guitar riffs will be happy with “Remember, Forget, Remember, Forget” and “When Will I Find Love Again.”

Don’t Let Me Lose My Mind by Matt Cheplic (available from KoolKat Musik or www.BodyguardRecords.com). This an album full of sweet, solid and straightforward pseudo-60s pop tunes - ala Jeffrey Foskett and Herb Eimerman. Matt sets a high standard for other indie pop artists with this debut disc.

The Hummingbirds’ Greatest Hits. Fellow jangle-enthusiast Alan Sack let me know that this compilation was now available from several Australian pop catalog sources. The combination of jangly guitars, Mitch Easter’s expert production, and those sweet female lead vocals remain a timeless recipe that will have listeners tapping their toes and humming along. If you didn’t jump on the Hummingbirds’ bandwagon back in the late 80s, now you have another opportunity to enjoy their catchy pop repertoire.

The self-titled disc by The Saturday People (available from Slumberland Records at www.dropbeat.com). This disc blends some of the contemporary strummy pop that Slumberland is known for with some Beatlesque and Beach Boys flourishes. The result is a pleasing collection of retro tunes. The 12-string guitar is most pronounced on “Working For The Weekend.”

Sugar & Spice, A Scratch In The Sky and Synthesis by the Cryan’ Shames. A great big thanks to the folks at Sundazed Records (www.sundazed.com) who have re-mastered and re-released these '60s gems … with bonus tracks! Like their fellow Chicagoans, the Robbs, the Cryan’ Shames were disciples of the Byrdsian folk-rock sound, but their original material showcased their own brand of harmony and songwriting skills. These three discs are chock-full of “nuggets” from pop’s golden era - whether they are cover tunes or original songs. To this day, “It Could Be We’re In Love” remains one of my favorite ballads from that period … and the Cryan’ Shames’ version of “Hey Joe” remains one of the finest covers of that classic tune. Cover version of “If I Needed Someone” and “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl” aren’t too shabby, either!

The Nuggets Are The Alchemists of Music! by the Norwegian band, the Nuggets. Here’s a very nice offering (available from the German Sounds of Subterrania! label at www.soundsofsubterrania.com) of Beatles-inspired psych-pop … that finishes with a cool cover version of “Run For Your Life.”

The Double Life of Tommy Flake by Tommy Flake. An excellent disc of tunes that will remind power pop listeners of Tommy Keene and the Connells, with plenty of chiming guitars thrown in for good measure.

No Frill Halo Flight by Auto Interiors (available from our favorite purveyor of all things pop - www.notlame.com). Eleven tracks of psych-pop/rock that remind me of Catherine Wheel, radioblue (Mark Helm’s early 90s band) … along with some faint Teenage Fanclub references. The opening track, “Green Arrow,” will hook indie pop listeners, and “Something Good” will pique the interest of jangleholics!

Lapalco by Brendan Benson. This disc features twelve mostly snappy pop tunes that merit comparison with Chris von Sneidern, Paul McCartney and Mark Johnson. Like Matt Cheplic’s debut disc, Lapalco sets a high standard for other indie artists.

The latest disc from the prolific Parasol artist, Toothpaste 2000 - Instant Action. Adam Schmitt produced this record (the band’s fifth album), and the combined efforts of all parties has resulted in their finest album to date. Strummy, jangly tunes of note include “Cigarettes & Magazines” and “That Kinda Love.”

Time Will Come by the Australian band, the Secrets. The song (and video) contents of this interactive disc cover three and a half decades of pop music (psych-pop, baroque pop, quirky pop, Mersey-influenced pop), as penned and performed by the talented Peter Rechter (and changing bandmates). This is very cool stuff, and you can learn more about the artist and the music by visiting www.secretdeals.com.au. Long may you run, Sir Peter!

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

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