JANGLE ON! – May 2023

by Eric Sorensen

Thank goodness for the indie pop music scene – which produced a surfeit of excellent jangly, chiming music in April.  It’s going to be very tough to pare down the “Best of Jangle Pop” candidates for 2023.  “So much music, so little time” has been an appropriate adage this year.  I recommend the following CDs, CD EPs and single tracks to fellow jangly music enthusiasts:

            The Wireless Revolution – Dropkick.  Everything recorded and released by Andrew Taylor (Dropkick, solo material, The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness) should appeal to power pop music fans, and Andrew’s frequent Rickenbacker 12-string flourishes give his songs a stronger appeal to jangly music fans.  This latest disc from the prolific Taylor (and band mates) has a host of chiming tracks – “Wouldn’t Know Why,” “Don’t Give Yourself Away” and “It Could Finally Happen” lead the way … but, like all Dropkick CDs, you will find yourself pressing the replay button and wanting more.  Long may you run, Sir Andrew!

            Loose Ends ... – Terje Torkellsen.  This full-length release includes the four tracks that were released on last year’s Feeling Things EP, and eight more tracks that showcase Torkellsen’s pseudo-60s pop music skills.  It’s all there – great harmony vocals, catchy melodies and just the right amount of crisp, chiming guitar riffs.  The tracks from the EP are still my favorites, but the new material indicates that there is a bright future for this Norwegian artist on the terrific Subjangle indie label.

            The Truth Is Somewhere Inside – Blue Chairs.  I just discovered this 2020 release that features fifteen jangly tracks.  The standout songs are “Waiting For You,” “When I Get Over You” and “Me And You.”  This is yet another disc that warrants a full replay.

            A Better Life – Jeremy.  I have often described Jeremy Morris as the Energizer Bunny of Power Pop.  Jeremy is still crafting excellent pop/rock music and he makes it appear to be effortless.  A Better Life displays more of Jeremy’s rock persona than his pop persona, but a chiming guitar does sneak into the mix on several tracks – notably on “Turn To Love.”  Long may you run, Sir Jeremy!

            The First Ten Years – the Lemon Clocks.  The aforementioned Jeremy Morris and Stefan Johansson (and their supporting cast) celebrate ten years as the Lemon Clocks with a 22-track compilation that jangles from start to finish.  I like all of the songs, but the Rickenbacker sounds most pronounced on “Elevator.”  Long may you run, Sir Jeremy and Sir Stefan!

            Favorite new singles from the past month include:  my Song of the Month – “Easier Done Than Said” by the Tearaways; “Flavor of the Month” (a nifty cover of a Posies track) by Jon Memelo; “Knitting Without Needles” by the Angles; “Good Vibes Never Lie” by Marc Jonson; “Lea Bridge Road” by thelightshines; “Glue” by the Seams; “Simple Pleasures” by the Lousy Pop Group; “Mystery Trip” and “Always The Rainbow” by Those Pretty Wrongs;”Precious To Me” by David Burdick; “Think We Oughtta” by the Ormidales; “Moments In Time” by Super 8; “Victory” by Sid Bradley; and “Walk Away From You” by the Age of Colored Lizards.

            Until next time, jangle on!