Further Observations of a Jangly Music Fan

Our weather here in the Washington, D.C. area remains fickle, but I'm not one to complain about a prolonged cool spring. The "dog days" of summer will be here soon enough! The quality of pop music that I have been listening to this past month certainly hasn't been fickle, though - it has been strong and consistent, with some Top Ten contenders in the mix. Here, then, are some of the new discs and songs that should keep fellow Boomers and the rest of you jingle-jangle enthusiasts entertained:

Power This by the Jellybricks - the band's latest release is on the Kool Kat label, and it is overflowing with power pop gems that draw favorable comparisons with the work of Matthew Sweet, the Connells, Cherry Twister and Guadalcanal Diary. My favorite tracks are "Simple Me," "Easy For You," Over Now" and "Well Enough," but there is something for every pop fan on this disc. Fourteen primo tracks make for a serious candidate for Top Ten 2004 honors.

Twenty-Four Seven by the Well Wishers - a "side project" from Spinning Jennies frontman Jeff Shelton, brought to you by the good folks at Not Lame. There is no escaping the similarities with Spinning Jennies material, but Shelton stretches himself with this material and there is a primetime Posies feel to the tracks. "Bleed On The Outside" features the jangliest of the tracks with layered guitars, but every track is melodic and has its share of chiming guitar riffs.

What A Concept!: A Salute To Teenage Fanclub - 24 tracks by contemporary pop artists, assembled and directed by Not Lame. Bruce Brodeen and his entourage are getting mighty good at their tribute compilations. Among others, this "salute" features artists like Ike, Cloud Eleven, the Andersons, Bronco Bullfrog, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings and Michael Carpenter. Every track is solid - which is further testament to one of the most under-rated pop bands of the past fifteen years.

Fade Back In by the Contrast - Rainbow Quartz has to be delighted that this band is getting accolades from the likes of Little Steven on his "Underground Radio" show. Similar to their previous releases, this album features lots of crisp, chiming guitars, some psych-pop flourishes and excellent vocal/melody balance - ala the Grip Weeds. Most of the tracks jangle, but "Give Me One More Chance" is the standout track that should keep Rickenbacker 12-string enthusiasts happy. Fade Back In should make a number of Top Ten lists later this year.

The Beat And The Time by the Lackloves - yet another excellent release from the pop purveyors at Rainbow Quartz. While it would be unfair to call the Lackloves' music "formulaic," they do stick close to their Blow Pops origins and churn out very appealing pseudo-60s pop. The band hasn't lost its appetite for jangly 12-string riffs, as evidenced by "Still Missing You," "I Could Be" and "Never Gonna Fall." The latter track, along with "If Ever I," exhibits the band's affection for Beatlesque pop. Fans of the Resonars and the Lolas should really dig the Lackloves.

Subcataneous by the Shimshaws. Brothers Scott and Todd McCombs (and backing musicians) have teamed up for a very impressive debut release on the Suspect Pigeon label. There is plenty of jangle'n'twang exhibited in the group's roots rock'n'pop repertoire. The sibling harmonies draw favorable comparison with Nelson, and the band is alternately reminiscent of 70s southern rock, Whiskey Town, the Pistoleros and Genghis Angus (gone, but not forgotten). "Kisses Like Rain" even has a very strong Steve Earle ("Copperhead Road") vibe to it. Long may you run, Sir Scott and Sir Todd!

Pleasure Seekers Anonymous by the Shellycoats. Mix some strong female vocals with some decidedly REM-influenced pop-rock melodies, and you've got one heck of a nice album! There's plenty of jangly guitars throughout the tunes, and fans of Sun 60, Mary Lou Lord, REM, the Feelies/Wake Ooloo and Grey Eye Glances will all find something appealing in the Shellycoats' contemporary brand of folk-rock music.

Shake Yer Pop Boomerang Volume II - 23 tracks by 23 artists affiliated with the Australian Pop Boomerang label. Just like Volume I, this compilation is a joy to listen to from start to finish. Her Majesty's Finest kicks things off with the title song that truly defines power pop. Long may you run, good mates at Pop Boomerang!

Edward Rogers (whose debut disc, Sunday Fables, was released on Not Lame earlier this year) was kind enough to send me a demo copy of a "side project" that he and Amanda Thorpe are working on - under the moniker of the Bedsit Poets. The studio tracks include support from colleagues like Pete and Maura Kennedy and Andy Burton. The combination of Amanda's vocals and the backing music draw alternate comparisons with the works of Sam Phillips, Natalie Merchant and Amy Rigby. The very catchy and jangly mid-tempo tune "Just Another Day" is now my Song of the Month! Pop fans should keep an eye out for the completed effort from this talented duo.

In my last column, I mentioned that I had received some terrific Byrds-inspired tunes from fellow Byrds/jangly music enthusiast Ray Verno. Ray and I traded some CDRs from our respective music libraries, and I think I benefited most from this trade. At the top of the list of artists I was previously unfamiliar with is the band Mr. Hyde. Their self-titled album on Taxim Records includes 16 songs that are shimmering with jangly guitars and a Byrdsian folk-rock/country-rock sound that few bands can emulate (Starry Eyed And Laughing and the Long Ryders both come to mind). The combination of original material ("I Want You" and "The Other Side Of Love") and cover material ("Haunts Of Ancient Peace," "Ballad Of Easy Rider," "Call It Love," "Sea Of Madness" and "Apple Tree") is superb.

Other cool Byrds-inspired artists that Ray introduced me to include Aerie and the Bogus Byrds. Standout cover tracks include "Here Without You" by The What The and "Set You Free This Time" by the west coast all-star band known as Byrds Of A Feather. (NOTE: I knew of this band through correspondence with band members Andrew Gold and Jeffrey Foskett. Like most pop enthusiasts, I am anxiously waiting for the group to release an album!) Many thanks for sharing, Ray!

Until next month, enjoy the warming weather wherever you are … and jangle on!

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