Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

After a very long, hot and dry summer (60 days of over 90 degree temperatures), the Washington, D.C. area finally got some much-needed rain and a cool spell that feels a lot like autumn. This weather has even made children, who are about to return to school, more cheerful than usual. On this positive note, I will gladly describe several discs that have generated my enthusiasm during the past month:

In Stereo - by Ned Van Go (a group consisting of Ned Hill and a very talented studio supporting cast). If this excellent disc hadn’t been released in 2001, it would by vying for Top Ten honors in 2002. Fans of Joe Mannix, Paxton and Joe Oliver will love this pop/rock gem that is full of big hooks and well-crafted, melodic tunes. Hill frequently sounds like Michael Stipe, and the song arrangements and backing vocals remind me of REM’s more pop-oriented tunes. “Carnegie Hall,” “Given” and “Common Girl” are standout songs on an album that is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Many thanks to the pop-friendly staff at Miles Of Music (www.milesofmusic.com) for including this disc in their online catalog.

The Wonder Of It All - by Blue Cartoon. Wow! This outstanding disc is a definite contender for Top Ten honors this year. The Wonder Of It All is pure power pop bliss - every song shines on its own merits, and the band tosses in plenty of chiming hooks and jangly guitar riffs to keep me happy! “The Wonder Of It All,” “Davinci’s Art,” “Flying Cars,” “Everyday Magic” and “Do You Dream Like I Do” are splendid ear candy tunes. Earlier releases by this band were quite good, but the quartet has now set a much higher standard for itself. If you are not already familiar with this band, I highly recommend that you visit www.bluecartoon.com and become a Blue Cartoon fan.

Rolled Gold - by the Action. This is a departure from the usual contemporary pop material that is offered by our pals at Parasol. This disc features music by the late 60s British band, the Action; the tunes have been digitally remastered and the album is available in the U.S. for the first time. Seasoned pop listeners will hear some definite references to folk-rock and psychedelic-rock period counterparts - like the Buffalo Springfield, Moby Grape, KAK and some of Gene Clark’s solo work. “Strange Roads” is a jangly folk-rock piece that will appeal to fans of the Byrds. Well done to the staff members at Parasol who reached back several decades and elected to release this “nugget” from the past.

While the Parasol label is on my mind, it is well worth mentioning that Parasol has also released the latest excellent discs by Doug Powell, the Doleful Lions, the Contrast and Joe Algeri’s group - Jack and the Beanstalk. Those young folks out in Urbana, Illinois sure do have a fine ear for pop music! A visit to www.parasol.com will convince novice readers of that.

In Here - by David Byron Ragsdale. This is an album of straight-ahead mainstream pop. Almost all of the songs feature jangly and chiming guitars - “Girl From Surry” is my favorite in the bunch. Ragsdale’s recordings remind me of the (obscure but worth seeking out) early 90s work by the Holdens and Ted Holden.

Time Capsule - by Sketch Middle. This Chicago area band set out to record an homage to the late, great Material Issue, and they succeeded admirably! Most of the tracks are crunchy power pop tunes, but “Little Things” features some chiming riffs. Several tracks are also reminiscent of Dwight Twilley’s pop repertoire and arrangements. You don’t have to be a fan of Material Issue to enjoy this primo pop album.

Always Got Tonight - by Chris Isaak. I have long been a Chris Isaak fan; he captured my ear with great covers of “Solitary Man” and “Heart Full Of Soul.” His original material is also very appealing - particularly those tracks that he embellishes with lots of jangle’n’twang. Always Got Tonight is his most pop-oriented album to date. “One Day,” “Let Me Down Easy” and “”Courthouse” have plenty of jangly, chiming and ringing guitars … but tracks like “American Boy” and “Somebody To Love” are other fine examples of songs that deserve lots of “crossover” (country, pop, rock, “mix radio”) airplay. Long may you run, Sir Chris!

Harry, Beardo, Doc & Barry and Apple Taste - by the Happy Losers. The superb Spanish pop label Indiana Records has done it again - releasing two cool discs by a band that epitomizes the plight of indie pop artists everywhere. They’re so good you automatically ask why they aren’t receiving mainstream attention? Mix in some studio assistance from Australia’s premier Pop All-Star artist, Michael Carpenter, and these two discs can’t miss! Both discs feature a ton of 12-string guitar tracks … and will remind listeners of the Finkers, the Merrymakers, the Drowners, Poverty Stinks and the Kwyet Kings. Jangleholics should jump at both albums!

Tripsitter - the self-titled EP by Tripsitter. Fans of the Beach Boys will want to snap this disc up. “Wavestrumental” is a very appealing instrumental track, and “California Son” is an excellent homage to Brian Wilson. Tripsitter nails the Beach Boys-inspired orchestral and harmony flourishes on the other tracks. Please, guys, treat us to a full-length disc the next time!

Stratosphere - by the Spinning Jennies. It’s hard to beat this combination: one of the San Francisco area’s best pop bands joining forces with Jam Records. The Spinning Jennies just keep getting better - Stratosphere is a gem from start to finish. The band also knows how to capture a listener’s fancy with chiming and jangly riffs in all the right places. Visit www.jamrecordings.com for further details about this disc, and many other cool discs available from pop purveyor (and artist) Jeremy Morris.

Better Days - by Corndaddy. Jeff, Corrie and the staff at Miles Of Music have discovered yet another cool roots/pop/rock/alt-country band in Corndaddy. “Find My Way” is my favorite track - opening like a Feelies song and then quickly featuring a Crazy Horse-sounding “Ooh La La” chorus. The entire disc merits a replay, but this catchy song sticks in my mind. Learn more about this jangle’n’twang outfit at www.corndaddy.com.

Walking In A Straight Line - by the Mayflies. I once suggested that this North Carolina quartet is the contemporary equivalent of the Buffalo Springfield. Walking In A Straight Line is a mature, confident third album by a band that borrows from the Connells, Teenage Fanclub, the Goo Goo Dolls and other peers … and blends it nicely into a sound of their own. Long may you run, Matt, Matt, David and Adam!

Goodmorning TV - by Groundswell. This EP features some very appealing Beatlesque psych/pop. The more jangly tracks - “Goodmorning TV” and “She Comes” remind me of Bart Mendoza’s great San Diego band, the Shambles. This is yet another emerging band that pop fans will want to hear more from.

Rollercoaster - The Best of the Mighty Lemon Drops 1986-1989. I became a fan of this group because local area DJ “Weasel” used to play Mighty Lemon Drop tracks on his WHFS radio program in the late 80s. With the release of this 19-song anthology, they deserve jangleholics’ renewed attention. The 12-string guitars chime on many of these timeless tracks.

Dawn Of The Dons - by the Dons. This is one heck of a debut disc from a power pop band that adds lots of snap and crackle to their pop tunes (and pictures a Rickenbacker guitar being tossed in the air on the front cover). “Everything We Need” is the most chiming song in the twelve tracks, and it should appeal to fans of Matthew Sweet. This is yet another in a succession of strong 2002 releases by Not Lame Recording.

Speaking of Not Lame and its many fine recent releases, hot off the presses is the long-anticiapted Jellyfish Fan Club box set. Wow! I did not know the first thing about Jellyfish until Bruce Brodeen turned me on to them about seven years ago. I sought out their out-of-print discs and found them pleasing. Now that I have acquired the four-disc box set, I find them more than just pleasing - they were an exceptional pop band! Their songs alternate from Beach Boys, Beatles and Big Star influences and have the same clean, crisp, melodic attributes that the best Posies material showcased. If you didn’t already pre-order this box set, you may be out of luck. However, Not Lame may press a few more copies for the growing legion of Jellyfish fans … just as they have pressed an additional 1,000 copies of the Posies box set.

One final plug on behalf of Not Lame - seek out the three-disc Internatonal Pop Overthrow Volume 5 set, and add Right To Chews - a Bubble Gum Tribute to your collection. Both compilations feature wonderful pop music, and both have a strong dose of jangly songs.

Last but not least, many thanks to Richard X. Heyman, and his talented wife Nancy, who performed a house concert in my home during their Summer 2002 “Old Dominion” tour. They “plugged” in and performed tracks from all of Richard’s pop albums, including his latest (and best) release - Basic Glee. You can purchase Richard’s discs, posters and/or a copy of his book, Boom Harangue, from the www.richardxheyman.com website. It’s all very groovy stuff!

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

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