JANGLE ON! – April 2022

by Eric Sorensen

I am happy to report that three months into 2022 there has been a steady stream of new jangly, chiming pop music.  Standout albums and song from the past month include:

Guv III – Young Guvs.  I discovered this band on the Bandcamp website several years ago, and this latest full-length CD features plenty of jangly, chiming guitar riffs.  Check out tracks like “I Couldn’t Leave U If I Tried,” “Take Up All My Time,” “But I Ain’t Got U,” “Same Old Fool” and “Living The Dream.”  However, “She Don’t Care For Anyone” takes the prize for being the most Byrdsian track on the disc – with that great compressed Rickenbacker 12-string sound.  Long may you run, Young Guv!

            Unplugged – the Sessions for MacMillan Cancer Support – the Shop Window.  Even though this disc is advertised as unplugged, chiming guitar riffs abound on the five featured songs.  “Break Down Walls,” “Lighthouse” and “Lay Of The Land” are my favorite tracks.  In addition to enjoying some terrific jangle-pop tunes, you can feel good about donating to a very worthy cause.

            Wide Awake – the brand new full-length CD by Seattle’s Shake Some Action.  This band (James Hall and a supporting cast) has always featured a Rickenbacker 12-string-centric sound.  “Night Train to Munich” takes the prize for being Byrds-inspired, and the rest of the tracks have a 21st century power pop punch.  The album showcases the band’s ability to blend catchy melodies and hooks with chiming guitar riffs.  Long may you run, Shake Some Action!

            Noteworthy singles from the past month include:  “Open Up The Box” – the very cool brand new single by The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness (Andrew Taylor and Gonzalo Marcos); “I Just Wasn’t Being Myself” by Neil Sturgeon and the Infomaniacs; the very jangly “Fremdscham” by Kid Chameleon; “We Can Get Away From Here” by Crystal Meadows; “Cold Summer” (updated version) by Kai Reiner; “Stormy Waters” by Love, Burns; “Over You” by power pop stalwarts the Squire; and the radio-friendly “There Goes That Girl” by the Cheap Cassettes.

            Until next time, jangle on!