Further Observations of a Jangly Music Fan

With less than a month to go before the end (unless we find ourselves re-counting votes in Florida again) of a bitter, polarizing election, it's nice to have pop music as a respite from all the political rhetoric of 2004. I'll keep my commentary apolitical and suggest that fufkin site visitors read the other columns this month - in celebration of the long overdue release of Brian Wilson's Smile album on CD. It's also worthy to note that Sir Paul McCartney and Neil Young will be performing at one another's fund-raising concerts this fall. Today's music is just as "political" as it was in the mid-60s; I just hope that the surfeit of potential first-time voters here in the U.S. will exercise their right to vote. Forty years ago, young people were dying in Alabama and Mississippi to extend that right to all Americans. Enough - let's talk about music! Here is a synopsis of the new discs and tunes that have caught my ear this past month:

Since jangly tunes are always in the spotlight in this column, I will lead off by mentioning two new Roger McGuinn tracks that can be downloaded from his Folk Den website - "America For Me" and "Silver Dagger." I already had acoustic versions of both of these songs in my music library - but now I've got "electric" tracks that feature Roger on his signature Rickenbacker 370RM/12-string guitar. As Nashville studio musician/songwriter Cam King likes to say, "Nothing can compare with that clean and clear clarion sound!" Cam should know - he plays a vintage '67 Rick 12-string, and his chiming riffs can often be heard on recordings by his pal Steady Freddie Krc. Readers may recall that Freddie is the Austin-based musician (and leader of the Shakin' Apostles) with the heart of gold who organized a tribute concert for Gene Clark in September 2000 - to benefit musicians without health insurance.

A UK band that has stood the test of time - Diesel Park West - recently contacted me to offer their version of "Hung Upside Down" to the forthcoming Buffalo Springfield tribute disc (on the Not Lame Recording label). If you are familiar with this band, they are one of the most under-rated pop/rock bands around; if you are unfamiliar with them, seek out their discs in used CD shops (like I did!) Each of their albums is overflowing with top-notch pop tunes from start to finish, and many of them feature jangly, chiming and ringing guitar riffs. The band's "unofficial archivist," Keith Beck, was also kind enough to send my a cyber EP of five new Diesel Park West tracks that John Butler and his bandmates have already recorded. Their cover of "Hung Upside Down" is terrific … and the original material is just as strong as their early works. The only downside to this news is that DPW fans may have to wait several years before the next full-length disc is released. You'll just have to take my word until then - tracks like "Celebrate," "Light At The End Of The World," "Mystified," "Nothing But Everything" and "Revelation Calling" would put many major label bands to shame! A full length-disc from John, Rick Wilson and the rest of the DPW lineup will be worth the wait!

It has been several months since a disc that will contend for Top Ten honors in 2004 has arrived in my mailbox - that is not the case anymore. The Grip Weeds fourth full-length disc, Giant On The Beach (on Rainbow Quartz), features 14 tracks of primo pseudo-60s psych-pop that leaves one admiring this band's talent for building on a 60s (Byrds, Kinks, Who, Amboy Dukes) foundation with an originality that many contemporary bands lack. Jangly guitars are sometimes pronounced and sometimes blended into the Grip Weeds' "wall of guitars" sound. It's not the jangly guitars that keep me listening to their songs - it's the great songwriting, great riffs and wonderful harmonies. Look for a Grip Weeds track on the Buffalo Springfield tribute disc also. Many thanks to Michael Roux at Parasol for sending me a promo copy of this superb album. Long may you run, Kristin, Kurt, Rick and Michael.

A new solo artist disc that merits Top Ten consideration is Living To Dream by Bowman. This album features 14 crisp, in-your-face power pop tracks that will remind pop listeners of Owsley and Paxton. Once you are addicted to this album, seek out his 1999 debut disc Believe.

Another band that incorporate elements of 60s music into their songs with great ease is the UK act Kelly's Heels. The primo Aussie label Popboomerang Records has just released Dig In! - a nineteen song compilation of the band's works to date. This is pseudo-60s power pop with the snap, crackle and pop of bands like the Knack and the Rubinoos. The catchy melodies on this latest disc flow together like syrup that is tasty to the very last drop!

Zoloto, a 20-song compilation of Skooshny songs, is also getting lots of playing time on my disc player. This power pop outfit has always had a penchant for jangly tracks, and "Angel With A Devil's Heart" should definitely appeal to Byrds fans!

New to the indie pop music scene in the New York City-based "Canyon Rock" band Maplewood. Their self-titled debut album on Tee Pee Records sounds like a lost nugget from the "soft-rock" and "country-rock" genres of the early 70s. The album even features the orange crate label art associated with the vinyl albums of that era. To varying degrees, I can hear Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, Byrds, America and CSN references in Maplewood's songs. A case can also be made for Grateful Dead (think harmony - as in "Uncle John's Band") references in Maplewood's tunes. "Be My Friend" sounds like the band's homage to the Byrds' "Wasn't Born To Follow." These guys are going to give the Topanga Canyon crowd a run for their money!

It's not often that I purchase an album in another language (Spanish), but Tobogan - by the Spanish pop band La Granja - is a worthy exception to my language rule. Think Shambles, think Records, think Byrdsian riffs - ala Pribata Idaho (a Spanish band that records in English). The jangly, chiming 12-string guitar-embellished melodies will keep you coming back for more!

Occasionally, a roots-rock record with no jangle'n'twang will also capture my attention. Violence In The Snowy Fields by Dolorean is such an album. This is an excellent roots-rock, alt-country disc that has some early Neil Young and Crazy Horse/Jack Nitzche references. Many of the lead vocals remind me of Evan Dando (Lemonheads) and some have faint tinges of Ricky Nelson. This is a very cool disc from the Portland indie music scene.

In my "blast from the past" category this month is "Survive" by Such Perfect Liars on their Honey Trap EP. This REM-ish jangly pop tune remains a worthy addition to any library of jangly music!

Until next month, I urge American readers to enjoy your freedom and exercise your right to vote … and I urge all fufkin site readers to jangle on!

_________________________________________________________

To reach any other page contained in this month's update on Fufkin.com, read the home page for the appropriate link and click on it. You can also search the site from any page using the search box located at the top of each page. Merely type in the word, phrase, name of the band, recording, name of the Fufkin writer that you are looking for or Whatever in the search box, and then click on "Search". If you would like to e-mail us, go to the About Us page for a list of e-mail addresses.

Go back to the home page by clicking here

________________________________________________________________