JANGLE ON! – November 2022
by Eric Sorensen
October was no different than the preceding months – with a surfeit of jangly, chiming and melodic tunes. A number of young indie artists are reshaping a sound that has been catching my ear since the mid-1960s. I recommend the following CDs, CD EPs and single tracks to fellow jangly music enthusiasts:
Miles Out To Sea: The Roots of British Power Pop 1969 – 1975. Three CDs, 72 tracks and a very nice color booklet to chronicle a genre of music and a period of time that both deserve more recognition. Jangly music fans already know that Starry Eyed And Laughing was the foremost British band to embrace the sound of the Byrds; but who knew that Shakane had released a terrific jangly version of Neil Young’s “When You Dance I Can Really Love?” Chiming guitar riffs can be heard on many of the other tracks included in this compilation. This is a great value for the price, and I have Pop Geek Heaven guru Bruce Brodeen to thank for turning me on to this excellent compilation.
Feel Some Love – Edward O’Connell. Washington, D.C. area singer/songwriter O’Connell returns with 15 well-crafted pop/rock tunes – featuring guest appearances by numerous other veteran D.C. area musicians. “Golden Light” kicks things off with some jangly guitars, and the jangle/treble sound is featured frequently throughout the CD. No filler on this CD: Edward O’Connell knows how to deliver the goods! “Until Next Time” even has a Richard X. Heyman vibe to it – no surprise, since Richard developed his pop/rock chops in the D.C. area before migrating to New York City. Long may you run, Sir Edward!
Speaking of Richard X. Heyman, the gifted singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has released a superb new album – 67,000 Miles An Album. RXH just doesn’t know how to slow down – the hooks, the melodies and the vocals are as strong as his earliest iconic solo material that was released 35 years ago. Richard always channels some chiming Rickenbacker 12-string guitars into several tracks – notably on “Washington Rock” and “When The New Dawn Comes.”
Long may you run, Sir Richard!
Stupid Kid – David Woodard. Woodard’s power pop resume gets stronger with each release. Stupid Kid has jangly tracks from start to finish! Kudos to Kool Kat Musik for collaborating with Woodard on this 17 track jewel of a CD.
Brighter Day – Jeremy. Not to be outdone by his veteran power pop peers, Jeremy Morris has released a 30-track CD with almost exclusively jangly, chiming lead guitars. Long may you run, Sir Jeremy – you are a member of my Power Pop All Star band!
Another recent Kool Kat release with plenty of jangly guitar riffs is You Paint The Pictures by Ian M. Bailey. “Hey Little Girl” and “Change Is Easy” are my favorite tracks.
Although there are no chiming guitars featured in the latest Cowsills CD Rhythm of the World, I highly recommend this CD to fans of melodic pop that features the same great vocal harmonies that this band possessed in its earliest years – and reprised on 1998’s exceptional CD Global. Long may they run!
Favorite new singles from the past month include: “Ghost Singer,” “Can’t Wait ‘Til Summer” and “Me And My Big Mouth” by the power pop “super group” Librarians With Hickeys; “Take This Bottle” by Richard Ohrn; “You’re Another” by Party Battleship; “Be By My Side,” “It’s Only Love” (Beatles cover) and “Nothing To Do With You” by the Generation Project; “Seltzer” by Young Scum; “Vanishing Point” by Prism Shores; “Racing Heart” and “Thru This Garden” by Annual Leaf; “Torn Down” by Cimrya Deal; “Shimmer” and “Cool 2 Crash” by Pleasure Center; and “Walk Away” by the Shining Hour. So much music, so little time!
Until next time, jangle on! ERIC
