JANGLE ON!
by Eric Sorenson
Although only a few new albums that feature jangly music have gotten play time this past month, those jangly discs that have caught my ear have a concentration of excellent chiming tracks. Albums and songs that made my monthly “Jangle Pop Sampler” include:
&IU – D.L. BYRON
From start to finish, the album showcases one of pop music’s finest tunesmiths in excellent form. The twelve tracks have a familiarity that warrant easy comparisons with fellow singer/songwriters Richard X. Heyman, Marshall Crenshaw, Walter Egan, Dwight Twilley, Warren Zevon and Bobby Sutliff – to name a few. “Fine Line” and “Division Street” also both sound like they could have been (or could be) chart hits for the Gin Blossoms. The power pop and pop/rock songs borrow riffs and melodies from prior decades so effortlessly that the listener will feel like he/she is welcoming back a dear friend. Byrds and Gene Clark fans will be drawn to the superb tribute to Gene Clark entitled “Into The Rain (for Mr. Clark).” The song opens with an acoustic riff similar to the opening of the Dashboard Savior’s “G.I. Joe;” transitions into a mid-tempo electric chord progression that sounds like Dramarama’s “Lullabye;” all the while weaving Byrdsian riffs into the melody. Byron’s poignant song (sadly) reminds pop fans that the music world might have been even brighter if the Clark-McGuinn-Crosby songwriting team had remained intact for more than two years. The ballad “Jeremy” is an update to the theme of a homeless musician that was popularized by Joni Mitchell’s “For Free.” Byron finally gives a power pop treatment to his classic song “Shadows Of The Night” and D.L. embellishes “Pretty White World” with chiming Byrdsian licks. Although “Into The Rain” is overtly intended to be a tribute tune, the entire album is a tribute to the timeless appeal of power pop. More than thirty years after launching his pop career, &IU is strong evidence that D.L. Byron still has the chops!
GRAB A FEW TUNES FROM D.L. AT THIS LINK AT “THE SURPRISE BOX”
Do It Again – SMASH PALACE
Stephen Butler, Brian Butler and band mates have recorded another power pop gem. “Living It Lonely” opens the disc with a chord progression that is reminiscent of the Records’ power pop classic “Starry Eyes” and then launches into a terrific mid-tempo tune that could be mistaken for either a Richard X. Heyman or a Tom Petty track. “21st Century Boy” could have been written by the Davies brothers, and “It Just Came Out” conjures up some Spector “wall of sound” references. Call it power pop; call it pop/rock – Smash Palace continues to write and record superbly crafted songs that showcase their originality … all the while sounding familiar. Few bands do this better than Smash Palace. Long may they run!
ORDER AT KOOL KAT – HERE
Now Is The Time – LEMON CLOCKS
After releasing single tracks on several compilations, the Lemon Clocks now have a full-length disc to their credit. The band consists of Jeremy Morris, Stefan Johansson and Todd Borsch. Since Jeremy Morris wholeheartedly embraces the sound of a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, many of the tracks feature chiming, Byrdsian riffs. My favorite tracks are “The Bright Side” (which ends with a melodic snippet from the Flamin’ Groovies’ “I Can’t Hide”), “Garden of Eden,” “The Man Who Lost The Time,” “Catch You When You Fall” and “Now Is The Time.” Set the Way Back Machine for the mid-60s and enjoy some of the finest pseudo-60s music around.
ORDER AT KOOL KAT – HERE
Bremen Rock and Plymouth Rock – THE MAYFLOWERS
The Mayflowers wear their Beatlesque influence on their shirt sleeves. “Some Forever, Not For Better” is a re-worked version of “Please, Please Me” by the Fab Four. “Maybelline” is a melodic dead ringer for the La’s “There She Goes,” but with some Cosmic Rough Riders vocal harmonies. When it comes to power pop, the Mayflowers have turned imitation into an art form.
A search of CD Baby unearthed some terrific jangly cover songs: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High” by Cannata; and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by the Havingas.
Although not jangly, the self-titled CD-EP by Emily Grace Berry is worth seeking out. Ms. Berry is the protégé of Austin pop-rocker Freddie Krc, and the tracks include some fine remakes of “Someday Soon,” “So Sad (to Watch Good Love Go Bad),” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” and “Long Long Time.” The CD-EP also features two original songs co-written by Ms. Berry and Steady Freddie. This is a nice nod to the days when Linda Ronstadt and Emmy Lou Harris used to perform at the Troubadour.
Thanks to friend and pop/rock archivist Robbie White, I now have some excellent live recordings of a 1973 Manassas concert (ending with the full version of “Daylight Again/Find the Cost of Freedom”) and the June 1, 2011 Buffalo Springfield concert that I attended in Oakland last year. Thanks Robbie!
ORDER AT KOOL KAT – HERE
Until next month, jangle on! ERIC
