JANGLE ON! – August Column
(Note: We’ll be catching up with this column in October and should be on schedule when November rolls around)
As the Washington, D.C. area recovers from a 5.8 earthquake and prepares for Hurricane Irene, now seems like an appropriate time to recap what has been occurring on the jangly music scene. Recent noteworthy jangly artists, songs and albums include:
Am I Really That Boring? – by Richard Snow and the Inlaws. Richard Snow returns with another full-length pop triumph that is chockfull of chiming Rickenbacker 12-string riffs. “21st Century” heads up the list of jangly tracks; followed by “Stop Your Crying,” “Middle Class Girl,” “I Still Love Your Face,” “Do You Want To?, “Take Me Back Home (No. 8)” and “Good Guys Never Win.” If you purchase this disc through Kool Kat Musik, you will also receive a bonus disc with alternate takes. More pop artists should take the time to release albums on the quality level of Am I Really That Boring? This disc is a clear choice for “Top Ten” honors in 2011. Long may you run, Sir Richard!
Tommorow’s Coming – the Modulators. Speaking of Kool Kat Musik, this is a nifty reissue of material from an early 80s album, EP and single (originally released on the Vintage Vinyl label) by the New Jersey power pop band the Modulators. Guitars ring and chime on “Lost Without A Sound,” “Own Little World,” “Tomorrow’s Coming,” “Jimmy Says,” “Spin Me Around,” “Lies” and a version of “My Back Pages” that sounds an awful lot like Crowded House. Thanks to Ray Gianchetti for digitizing an excellent slice of power pop from the skinny tie era.
The Volebeats – by the Volebeats. I have been listening to this under-heralded Michigan band for years, and I never tire of their music. Matthew Smith and Jeff Oakes spearhead a group that combines roots-rock, alt-country and pop with ease. Their latest disc features 19 tracks and was released on the primo Rainbow Quartz label. Standout jangly tracks include “Me And You,” “Things People Say,” the Ray Davies-penned “This Is Where I Belong” and “1,000 Miles of Confusion.” Long may you run, Sir Matthew and Sir Jeff!
The Last Place – by Army Navy. This is an excellent pop disc that flirts with elements of west coast harmony, some shoegazer pop and a small dose of Teenage Fanclub. “The Long Goodbye,” “A Circus,” “The Hunter” and “Wonderland to Waterloo” are the catchiest tracks.
By Request: Volume 1 – by Michael Carpenter and the Cuban Heels. A terrific assortment of cover songs, released on the heels (no pun intended) of Carpenter’s SOOP (Songs Of Other People) #3. Carpenter continues to be one of the most prolific artists on the pop music landscape; when he isn’t recording his own original material as a solo artist or with a band, he has a habit of recording cool cover versions of some of his favorite songs by other songwriters. Although the jangly guitars are mostly muted on this disc, I really dig the band’s versions of Michael Nesmith’s “Different Drum,” Gene Clark’s “Tried So Hard” and the Lennon/McCartney tune “It’s Only Love.” By Request: Volume 1 – like each of Michael’s SOOP discs – is an outstanding pop disc, and every track shines with his unique gift for interpreting others’ material.
White Lies and Bloodshot Eyes – by Shake Some Action! The combination of James Hall’s lead vocals and the ringing guitars is still reminiscent of the catchy pop tunes that Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians released twenty years ago. Favorite tracks: “One Way Ticket” and “Wherever You Are Tonight.”
Fixed Hearts – by the Bye Bye Blackbirds. Wow – another excellent full-length disc (this time on the Rainbow Quartz label) by a band that continues to put a 21st century spin on the country-rock of forty years ago. The band has migrated toward mainstream pop (think Fountains of Wayne), and chiming guitars light up tracks like “Elizabeth Park,” “Open A Light” and “Kiss The World.”
On The Way – by Tony Cox. Tony Cox sprinkles some roots-rock into his power pop, and the results are superb. “The Way” is the most radio-friendly track in the bunch, but don’t overlook the rest of the songs.
Byrdman of Bearwood Revisited – by David Heselden. This is the second all-Byrds covers disc by David Heselden, and the third compilation of cover tunes by this very talented Brit. As David points out in the jewel case insert, this 16-song compilation features “many hidden gems” from the Byrds’ mid-60s repertoire. David continues to get a very crisp compressed sound from his Rickenbacker 12-string guitar. Few can mimic the instrumentation of the Byrds as well as David does. You can learn more about David’s music by visiting his website at www.davidheselden.moonfruit.com.
Rubber Soul – by Jay Kabey. Jay recorded this disc back in 2002, and he just shared a copy of it with me. The disc features all fourteen tracks from the original Beatles album – lovingly covered by Jay. Chiming guitars are most evident on “Norwegian Wood” and “Run For Your Life.” This disc makes a very nice companion to Mike Penner’s A Hard Day’s Night (mentioned in last month’s column).
International Pop Overthrow Volume 14 – featuring 67 tracks by various artists. No, the marketing folks at Pop Geek Heaven did not ask me to plug this three-CD set! Like each of its predecessors, this year’s IPO compilation is overflowing with primo power pop … and a couple of jangly tracks. There is no better annual compilation … and no better value … available to pop music fans. If you cannot attend the annual IPO event in Los Angeles, this is the next best thing!
A tip of the hat goes to my fellow Byrds enthusiast, Ray Verno, who has painstakingly searched the INTERNET for jangly tracks and has now compiled 79 volumes of Byrdsian tunes. Long may you run, Sir Ray!
