JANGLE ON! – June 2022

by Eric Sorensen

2022 continues to be a strong year for chiming, jangly music.  It’s nice to know that the sound of a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar still resonates with young musicians and young audiences.  Notable jangly albums and songs from the past month include:

Teaspoon of Time – by Kevin Robertson.  This full-length CD features more of the terrific chiming and melodic pop tunes that Robertson is known for.  Robertson blends Beach Boys harmonies with Byrds-inspired guitar riffs.  Standout tracks include “Misty Dew Soaked Mountains,” “If You’re Free,” “Tough Times,” “Rather Hide,” “Magnify The Sun” and “Don’t You Dwell.”  Long may you run, Sir Kevin!

            Fellow Scott Andrew Taylor and Spanish popster Gonzalo Marcos – AKA The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness – are collaborating on their third album, due to be released in early September.  Until then, jangle enthusiasts  have been enjoying some pre-release tracks – the latest being “Turning Red.”  Fans of Teenage Fanclub should be flocking to this album – as well as Taylor’s work with his Scottish band Dropkick.  Long may you run, Sir Andrew and Sir Gonzalo!

            At The Blue Melon Rendezvous – by Slack Times.  This band jangles aplenty on this CD EP with tracks like “Pacing,” “Can’t Count On Anyone,” “My Time” and “Yips.”  The band also showcases chiming guitars on “Let Down” from the Up Here CD.

            Gabriel’s Dawn – by Gabriel’s Dawn.  Yet another contemporary band with a Byrdsian sound.  Check out the complementary male/female vocals and the Rickenbacker guitar riffs on songs like “I Don’t Believe In The Summer Of Love,” “Loose Canyon,” 24 Hours From Heaven” and “Gentle Chimes.”

            Cooler Returns – by kiwi jr.  This full-length disc shimmers with chiming tracks like “Undecided Voters,” “Waiting In Line,” Norma Jean’s Jacket” and Tyler.”

            Favorite new singles from the past month include:  “I Want You” by the Mop Tops (the same great Swedish band that contributed “Christine” to the Not Lame Gene Clark tribute – Full Circle – in 2000); “McFarlane” and “Not What I Am After” by the Dynamo Stairs (some hints of late 1980s bands like Fire Town and the Grapes of Wrath); an excellent cover of “I Can’t Hide” by the Watermelon Men; “Matter of Time by the Krayolas; and “Blame It On The Parallax” by Friends of Steve.

            Until next time, jangle on!  ERIC