Random Observations of a Jangly Music Fan

My six minute commute to work doesn’t permit me much time to listen to my car stereo, but this morning I popped in a homemade tape entitled “Comrades In 12-Strings” that treated me to two favorite jangly 80s tunes. The tape opened with “The Girl From Washington” by the Windbreakers, and it was followed by “Sunshine’s Glove” by the Someloves. In addition to enjoying these timeless tunes, I took delight in noting that the respective artists - Bobby Sutliff (mentioned in last month’s column), Tim Lee, Dom Mariani and Darryl Mather - are all still actively recording and performing. I am envious of those of you who were fortunate enough to go to IPO 2001 and had the opportunity to see the reunited Windbreakers.

Another group of veteran pop musicians - Retoff, McKenzie, Butler & Pierce (sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it?) - has reunited and is recording an 11-song album that will be entitled In The Moment. Bill Retoff was kind enough to share a three-track sampler with me, and each pseudo-60s song (Grass Roots, Merry Go Round) has the trademark catchy hooks and harmonies that this quartet is known for. For more information about this album and other records available through Maize Records, contact Bill at maizerec@frontiernet.net

Have you ever put a disc up on the shelf without listening to it thoroughly and then returned to it later to discover that it’s brimming with top-notch pop tunes? The latest offering from the Brambles, The Next Big Thing, falls into this category. Thanks go out to pop musician and Brambles co-founder Tim Anthony, for reminding me how good this album is. The George Usher Group’s latest disc, Days Of Plenty, also falls into this category. So much music, so little time!

New titles that are getting my attention include the 15-song compilation What’s Up Buttercup? on Meow Records. My favorite tracks on this pop sampler are the chiming “Everyday” by Starbelly and “Daylight Moon,” the latest slice of jangly pop from Bill Lloyd. The album also features a cool tribute tune to Gram Parsons - “New Orleans” by P.J. O’Connell. The Smith Brothers combine just the right amount of jangle’n’twang on their new disc, Lost. Standout tunes include “Words Fail Me,” “Lost” and “Walk Away.”

Speaking of jangle’n’twang, Joe Algeri and his Jack & The Beanstalk bandmates have emulated the Sid Griffin/Long Ryders/Western Electric sound very well with their latest disc, Cowboys In Sweden. The Rickenbackers jangle nicely on “Complete” and “Pop Fantasy.” The latest offering from Ray Paul and his Permanent Press Records label, Welcome To Maple Mars by Maple Mars, is a real treat for fans of power pop - particularly those pop fans who like the band Cloud Eleven. Even if this band never exists outside the studio, it has recorded an album that should vie for Top Ten honors in 2001.

Anton Barbeau, known for his quirky Lennonesque pop, has just released Golden Boot (Antology Volume 2). The album includes 22 songs; jangleholics will love the chiming tune “Xmas Song” - which sounds a lot like the Rooks. Chicago band Post Office (featuring the talented Larry O. Dean) has released its latest disc, Fables In Slang. “Over Here,” “Awake Again,” “Anhedonia” and “Briefly” remind me of the Russ Tolman/Jim Huie collaboration released earlier this year - under the band moniker Girls Say Yes. The Anderson Council’s debut disc, Coloursound, is produced by brothers Kurt and Rick Reil (of the Grip Weeds) and the album is an awesome 10-track showcase of pseudo-60s pop and psych/pop. The Elms, an “inspirational” pop band (like All Star United) score big with their album The Big Surprise. “Hey, Hey” will get your feet tapping in no time, as this Christian band combines its own clean, crisp pop sound with catchy Fountains of Wayne hooks.

Other new discs quite worthy of mention include the Cheeks’ Royal Pop Elevation. This German band achieves chiming power pop perfection on “Disappointed” that reminds me a lot of the Kwyet Kings. “Supermodel” and “No Use Pretending” merit comparisions with the Time Lodgers, and the Cheeks treat listeners to an “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better”-inspired “Everybody’s Darling.” Pennsylvania’s the Polins have just released a dandy of a disc - Lost Highway. The quartet borrows elements from Live, Cherry Twister, Poole and the High Back Chairs. The Polins jangle on “Longest Day” and “Carry On.” Although the material on the compilation disc Battle Of is dated, pop fans should seek out this 18-track album by the Sex Clark Five. Most of the chiming, ringing, jangling and strumming tracks remind me of the Barracudas, but “Between The Zones” has that familiar 80s REM sound to it.

In the “not so new” category is the great song, “Yesterday’s Streets,” by Comanche Moon (on their 1994 album entitled Electric Lizardland). It may be derivative of the Byrds and Tom Petty, but it chimes with the best of ‘em!

Well, it’s time to pack for an overseas vacation. While most of my pop pals are heading to IPO 2001 in Los Angeles, I am preparing for two weeks in the Italian countryside. I’ll be anxious to return to my music library by the end of that period. Until next month, jangle on

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