Further Observations From A Jangly Music Fan

March got off to a slow start in terms of new, jangly music … but the month concluded with a tremendous amount of catchy tunes that should appeal to pseudo-60s pop fans and jangleholics. New discs and songs that are worthy of mention include:

Brothers In Stereo - by Brothers In Stereo. Wow! A 2003 release by brothers Chris and Andrew Ledrew on a Canadian label, with National Jangle Music, Ltd. copyrighting this disc. Chiming, ringing and jangling 12-string riffs abound on the thirteen original tracks … with songs like "The Worst Crowd," "January" and "Heartbreak's On Its Way" all competing for "Song of the Month" honors. The last of these three songs reminds me a great deal of "Yesterday's Streets" by Comanche Moon … which reminded me of "Listen To Her Heart" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Having said that, there are plenty of catchy hooks and choruses on this disc that will remind listeners of Michael Carpenter, David Grahame and Tom Petty. A major find by the staff at Not Lame. Here's hoping that Chris and Andrew are working on a follow-on disc!

Crashing the Ether - by Tommy Keene. Tommy Keene is an extraordinarily gifted power pop musician whose every album would be the crown jewel in a lesser artist's repertoire of material. This latest offering from Tommy is no exception, and it includes the usual flourish of ringing guitars and psych-pop riffs … and some harmony vocals by Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms. Those of us who have been following the TK/Gin Blossoms connection recall that when the Gin Blossoms lost their primary songwriter, Doug Hopkins, in the early 90s the band turned to Tommy Keene for some songwriting assistance. Favorite jangly track on this disc: "Warren in the 60s." Long may you run, Sir Tommy, you are a lifetime member of my Power Pop All-Star Band!

Just Barely Famous - by Herb Eimerman. I could almost repeat what I said about Tommy Keene, except that Herb Eimerman has always worn his Rickenbacker 12-string guitar on his sleeve! Tracks like "Unbreakable," "The Ocean Is Blue," "Tell Me Where" and "Be Home Tonight" have that big Ricky chiming sound. As long as Herb is recording and releasing albums, Midwestern jangle-pop continues to be in good hands!

Promises - by Denise James. More excellent 60s-influenced pop from Rainbow Quartz artist Denise James. "What Happened To The Love We Knew?" and "Waited So Long" remind me of a blend between the great Aussie pop band, the Hummingbirds, and the contemporary jangle'n'twang outfit the Volebeats (no surprise, since Matthew Smith's musicianship is readily apparent on this album). A terrific sophomore effort!

Afterlife - by Big Silver. A very pseudo-60s album that is highlighted by the catchy tune, "Berryhill Park." You'll swear you heard these songs before on AM radio!

The Believer - Rhett Miller. A terrific solo offering from Old 97's front man, Miller. There's some jangle'n'twang that will remind listeners of the Jayhawks on several tunes, and some nice acoustic ballads to counterbalance the livelier tracks; there's even a Guild 12-string acoustic guitar pictured on the cover. "I'm With Her" is a power pop nugget complete with a sweet "Sha-la-la-la" chorus. If you didn't know better, you'd think this was a Kyle Vincent track. A welcome move toward the pop mainstream!

Private Drive - by the Basics. No one tune stands out, but the entire album of twelve tracks will have you humming along to strummy, jangly songs that fall nicely into today's crop of pop artists. There are Field Mice and Smart Brown Handbag references in this excellent - from start-to-finish - disc.

All In Good Time - Pure Prairie League. This is the real Pure Prairie League - fronted by Craig Fuller - that competed with Poco and the Eagles for country/rock radio airtime back in the mid-70s. In fact, this reunited group appeared with Poco several times last summer … and they have booked two shows together this summer. I saw the 2005 show featuring both bands at the Birchmere (Mike Reilly kick-started things with the lead vocals on a rousing version of Gene Clark's "Kansas City Southern"); and Pure Prairie League promised the audience a new album and featured several new tunes at that show. The band kept its word, and All In Good Time should please fans of "classic country/rock" and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band … as well as fans of more recent bands like Restless Heart and Blackhawk. Best jangle'n'twang tune in the bunch: "That Changes Everything Again." I can't wait to hear Pure Prairie League (and Poco) again at the Birchmere this year!

The Rainbow Quartz 2006 Label Sampler. Eighteen primo tracks by Rainbow Quartz artists. "Song of the Month" honors go to "See Myself" by the Sails. This is as Byrdsian a tune as I've heard this year! The 1:40 tune even includes repeated use of the lyrics "There she goes (putting on another act for the boys)" … and it bears favorable comparison with the great La's tune of the early 90s. Rainbow Quartz gives true meaning to the old adage, "So much music, so little time!"

Feeding Frenzy - by the Tell Alls. I just received this promo disc in the mail, and it caught my attention since it features Flight of Mavis/Buzz Zeemer alum Ken Buono. "Stitch In Time" should capture the fancy of jangle enthusiasts, and "Riches Of The World" is another snappy power pop tune. Ken's tear sheet comment "hook-laden pop/rock" sums this disc up quite nicely!

Until next month, enjoy the spring thaw … and jangle on!

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