JANGLE ON!

by Eric Sorenson

The D.C. area managed to avoid every major snowstorm that visited the east coast this
winter … and spring. With current temperatures ten degrees below normal, the cherry blossoms
will peak in synch with this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival – something that seldom occurs.
Our recent cool weather has given me good excuse to stay indoors and study the latest in jangly
music. Byrdsian Volumes 88 – 90, sent from fellow jangleholic Ray Verno, provided the bulk
of the noteworthy tunes. Artists, disc and tracks on this month’s “play” stack include:

Gone to Ground – Alfa 9. Wow! Chiming guitars jump out of many of the tracks on the
latest release from this UK band. Fans of the Beachwood Sparks and Maplewood will definitely
enjoy the power pop tunes from Alfa 9 that include a wisp of alt-country twang. “Into The
Light” is a terrific Byrds-inspired jangly track that will make my “Best of Jangle Pop – 2013”
compilation at the end of the year. “Birling Gap,” “Seedless,” “Green Grass Grows,” “Petty
Lies” and “Ferry Song” round out the surfeit of very jangly tunes on this impressive disc.

The Comforting Suture – Spygenius. Jangly music fans became familiar with Spygenius
when their song “The Girl Who’s Everywhere” made a splash on their previous CD and the track
was included in an IPO compilation. Spygenius’ power pop formula favors a mix of heavier
pop-rock elements with crisp, chiming guitars. “All My Skeletons,” “Giving Way To Trains”
and “Adamstown” feature ringing guitar riffs that will brighten your spring season.

Stone Beads and Silver – Marc Carroll. Carroll is already one of the most highly-
regarded singer/songwriters in indie pop circles. Stone Beads and Silver will serve to cement
his standing with the likes of Chris von Sneidern and Jeff Larson. While most of the tracks on
this new album have a more subdued sound, “If Only To Remind Her” and “(It Was) Lust Not
Love” showcase Carroll’s ease with recording chiming power pop tunes. Long may you run, Sir
Marc!

Although the 18-track compilation, PowerPopAholic Fest: Volume One, doesn’t
feature many jangly tracks, it is an excellent addition to any power pop music fan’s library and
it supports a very worthy cause – contributing its proceeds to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Featured tracks range from vintage Toms and Klaatu songs to 2012 tunes by some of power
pop’s emerging artists. Enjoy the tunes … and spread a bit of sunshine to those along the New
Jersey coast who are still facing adversity.

As mentioned above, I am indebted to my friend Ray Verno for introducing me to many
terrific Byrdsian artists and songs. Minneapolis band – the Maeflies – are tops in this category
with their contemporary folk-rock tune “The Weary Kind.” Other tracks that feature the familiar
ringing sound of a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar are: “Is This Thing On” by Genghis Kong;
“Before Too Long” by Jewels and Johnny Nation; “The Wild Boys” by the Del Lords; “Nausea”
by Cut Off Your Hands; “Come Along” by Chapman Jones; and “Just Getting Started” by
Pudge. Ray has also been successful at tracking down two excellent Spanish language versions
of classic Byrds/Gene Clark-penned tunes – “Here Without You” and “Set You Free This Time”
by Sui Generis. It’s nice to know that Gene Clark’s rich treasury of songs is getting continued
attention from today’s pop artists.

Last but not least, Pop Geek Heaven guru Bruce Brodeen asked me to compile some
country, alt-country and roots-rock tunes (often featuring pedal steel, mandolin and banjo)
that also incorporate the elements of harmony, melody and chiming guitars that attract all of
us to power pop. I had a lot of fun putting together the first two volumes of “Power Poppin’
Country” – which drew heavily from an earlier compilation I had done that was entitled “Play
Those Country Rics!” The material, which spans 40+ years, features artists like Mary Chapin
Carpenter, Walter Egan (with the Brooklyn Cowboys; but I sure wish that I had recordings of the
tracks he did with his earlier country-pop band, the Wild Ponies), Freddie Krc, Carlene Carter,
Marty Stuart, Sid Griffin, Walter Clevenger, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League and
a host of other bands who have successfully combined a snappy Rickenbacker 12-string sound
with some country twang.

Until next time, jangle on!

Eric