Further Observations of a Jangly Music Fan

The forces that shape the climate in the mid-Atlantic looked favorably on the assembled crowd of 100,000+ WWII veterans and tourists over Memorial Day weekend. The Washington, D.C. area had been suffering through some very hot and humid "dog days," but May 29th was sunny, mild and even featured a breeze to keep the crowds comfortable at the WWII Memorial dedication. While the Harley-wheeling members of Rolling Thunder saluted fallen comrades, I was glad to be indoors studying a more melodic sound - the excellent crop of pop albums and tunes that I acquired during the past month. As usual, here is my summary of the new discs and songs that should keep fellow Boomers and the rest of you jingle-jangle enthusiasts entertained:

Saving Faded Dreams - by the Strawmen. I'm not going to be bashful about this find. I did a "Byrds" word search on the CDBaby website, listened to a few soundbites and I was quite impressed - so much so, that I encouraged Bruce Brodeen to add this disc to his Not Lame online catalog. This is one excellent album that features pop/rock tunes in the same ilk as Smart Brown Handbag, Ghost Of An American Airman, Wanderlust and REM. "Find A Reason" is my co-Song of the Month for May; this terrific tune features Peter Buck-inspired chiming guitar riffs and opens like a jangly variation of the Yardbirds' "Heart Full Of Soul." If the second disc is as well-crafted as Saving Faded Dreams, it will be worth the wait!

Ramshackle Beauty - by Daniel Wylie (formerly of the Cosmic Rough Riders). This album is a bona fide Top Ten contender - full of chiming, ringing guitar riffs and the wonderful vocals that Wylie showcased in his Cosmic Rough Riders material. The co-Song of the Month for May, "Make Love To The World," has plenty of jangle and some "Oh Yeahs" in the chorus that will remind pop listeners of Fountains of Wayne. "Because I" could be mistaken for a Nick Heyward tune; "Chasing Rainbows" blends Byrds and Beach Boys influences. Other easy references in Wylie's songs include Tal Bachman and Kyle Vincent. After listening to all fourteen tracks, you will gladly press the replay button. Long may you run, Sir Daniel!

Better Living Through Compression - by Cliff Hillis. With seven months still left in the year, TallBoy Records has released another Top Ten contender with the lastest work from talented popster Cliff Hillis. The disc opens with a great power pop track - "So Much To Tell You." "Home" sparkles with the most jangly guitar riffs, and "All These Memories" features some nice Beach Boys production touches. Regardless of the tempo, tone or complexity, Hillis excels at giving each song a polished flavor of its own. Cliff Hillis "gets it" - and more pop artists should learn from him!

Drowning: A Tommy Keene Miscellany - by Tommy Keene - is yet another strong release from the Not Lame label. The twenty tracks on this compilation are chock full of jangly, chiming and ringing riffs. In fact, I can think of no other artist who better defines chiming power pop! In an alternate universe, Tommy Keene would be a super star. In our world, he has a legion of loyal fans who remain captivated by his energy, passion and knack for writing pop tunes that will stand the test of time. Long may you run, Sir Tommy!

EeenieMeenieMeineMojo! - by the Porcupines. Bill Retoff and his musical playmates have given the world another indie pop gem by - as the liner notes would lead you to believe - the long-forgotten Saturday morning pop cartoon band, the Porcupines. I'm almost certain that I used to watch the Porcupines cartoons back in the mid-60s - after watching Yogi Bear and before watching "Where The Action Is!" The disc's promo material tells the truth - "Billy, Chris, Jamie & Dan conjure up 12 slices of jangle and backbeat." Jangleholics will really dig "That Girl Is Gone Away." "Forever, Always, Everywhere," "Somebody Else's Thing," "I Am Told" and the theme song should keep pseudo-60s fans everywhere hummin' along and tappin' their feet! When this band transcends its cartoon dimension, you will find them in the same record stack as the Beatles, Byrds, Raiders and Hollies.

Faded Seaside Glamour - by the Delays. This is very cool melodic and harmony-laced boy/girl pop/rock and folk/pop ala the Corrs, Grey Eye Glances … and there are some faint references to the Hummingbirds. "Nea rer To Heaven," "Hey Girl" and "You Wear The Sun" are all chiming pop tracks; the latter song even sounds a bit like mid-70s Fleetwood Mac material.

Taking the melodic, harmony-rich sound a step further is the female trio Wilson Phillips, whose latest disc, California, features 11 full-band cover songs and an acoustic version of the Eagles' "Already Gone." As the album title implies, the songs are drawn from the California pop theme … and the album benefits from Peter Asher's steady production guidance. The trademark Wilson Phillips harmonies soar again; let's hope they remain a staple longer than the short-lived Bangles and Go-Gos reunion efforts!

Roll - by Anne McCue is another notable solo disc by a talented female pop artist. McCue showcases a number of musical genres in her vocals and guitar chops, but "Stupid" is a stellar jangly track that will appeal to 12-string enthusiasts. The song clothes poignant, pained lyrics in a catchy pop song - ala Sam Phillips and Amy Rigby.

"Crazy Beautiful Child" will also turn on jangleholics' collective ears.

Last, but not least, among the discs released by female pop artists to be discussed this month is Anyway - by Amy Farris. Veteran Kelly Willis fans will recognize Amy as the talented fiddler/harmony vocalist who tours as a member of Kelly Willis' band. I'm pretty sure that I may have seen Amy a couple of other times at previous Birchmere shows. Amy's voice reminds me alternately of Nanci Griffith, Maria McKee and Kelly Willis. "Driving All Night Long" is a chiming country/pop tune that should receive favorable airplay, and the title song, "Anyway," may remind many listeners of a lost Lesley Gore song - it has all the patented production flourishes of that era! It's nice to know that Amy can choose between solo gigs and those gorgeous harmony vocals that she shares with Ms. Willis!

Murder of Crows - by Chuck Lee Bramlet. Bramlet has been deservedly compared with Tom Petty and George Harrison. Murder of Crows is an excellent album that also demonstrates how similar his music is to recent material released by Steve Wynn. The song "Justified" even has elements of Adam Schmitt and Crazy Horse. Bramlet's "alt-pop" songs - like "Midnight Sun" and "Dark Train" - are certainly catchy, and those unfamiliar with his work should seek it out.

Both the Rainbow Quartz and Paisley Pop labels have released noteworthy compilations - the Rainbow Quartz 2004 Label Sampler, which features 21 tracks; and The Sensitive Guy's Guide To Groovy Music, which features 22 tracks (15 songs by Paisley Pop artists). If you are just becoming familiar with these two primo labels, these discs are an inexpensive introduction to the fine pseudo-60s pop that both labels focus on.

Before wrapping things up, here are a couple of other songs that caught my attention this month:

"In My Hair" - by the Shakes (featured on their Gigantes Del Pop disc). Pseudo-60s pop ala the Resonars!

"All The Way To China" - by Richard Orange (on his Big Orange Sun album). This track has a strong XTC/Adrian Belew vibe to it.

"I'm In Love" - by Geoff Byrd (on his Candy Shell disc). Byrds' vocals remind me of the lead singer for the Fine Young Cannibals, but this song will definitely appeal to jangleholics.

Until next month, jangle on!

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