JANGLE ON! – October 2022

by Eric Sorensen

 The past month provided even more evidence that jangly, chiming melodic tunes are growing in popularity with the next generation of indie pop/rock musicians.  In addition, some “veteran” indie artists continue to embrace the jangly folk-rock sound of the 1960s.  I am forced to admit that there is too much music and too little time to appreciate it.  I now have a backlog of material to enjoy during the winter months.  For the time being, I encourage fellow jangly music enthusiasts to check out the following CDs, CD EPs and single tracks:

            Starbyrd Box Set – Starbyrd.  The lineup for this seasoned folk-rock group has changed over the years, but the one constant element in the band is singer/songwriter/lead guitarist Horst-Peter Schmidt.   Starbyrd is not the loosely-knit “band of pirates” that the Byrds may have been, but Starbyrd has carried on the rich sound of the Byrds that prominently features Schmidt and his Rickenbacker 370RM-12 string guitar.  Schmidt has painstakingly compiled 140 songs – many remastered original songs and cover songs from the Starbyrd archives, and several tracks that are new to Starbyrd fans.  The digital box set can be ordered from the band’s website (www.starbyrd.eu).  If you haven’t acquired any of the CDs in the extensive Starbyrd back-catalog, this is a great way to catch up on their excellent Byrds-inspired pop/rock music.  Long may you run, Sir Horst-Peter!

            Pioneer – the Jangles.  On this side of the Atlantic, twin brothers John and James Cox (AKA the Jangles) of Lynchburg, Virginia have just released their first full-length CD – with many nods to the Byrds and other bands – owing to the pronounced chiming Rickenbacker 12-string guitar riffs.  My favorite jangly tracks are “The Things I’m Sorry For” and “Passing Glances.”  I look forward to a sophomore release from John and James! (https://thejangles.bandcamp.com/album/pioneer)

            Now Playing – an excellent CD-EP from the New York group Movie Movie.  Some Byrds, some Tom Petty and some Gin Blossoms references can be heard in songs like “Bright Lights” and “No Long Goodbyes.”  I look forward to hearing more from this group also. (https://moviemovieband.bandcamp.com/album/now-playing)

            The Third Wave Of … The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness – the Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness.  As the title indicates, this is the third full-length release from a band that features Andrew Taylor and Gonzalo Marcos.  Just like the two earlier releases, this latest album showcases wonderfully-crafted pop melodies and plenty of chiming guitar riffs.  Taylor and Marcos excel at composing earworm tunes that warrant repeat play – e.g., “As The Day Begins,” “Look Back,” “Open Up The Box” and “The Stars Go Round.”  Long may you run, Sir Andrew and Sir Gonzalo!  (https://theboyswiththeperpetualnervousness.bandcamp.com/album/the-third-wave-of)

             Favorite new singles from the past month include: “Jamie” by the Hummingbird Syndicate; three short but very jangly tracks by Tony Molina – “Nothing I Can Say,” “Word Around Town” and “Give He Take You”; “Swimming Pool” and “Tyler” by Kiwi Jr; “All This Time,” When The Morning Reappears” and “That’s Where I’ll Go” by the Umbrella Puzzles (check out their back-catalog); “Years Ago” and “Clover” by Radio Field; “We Got To Be Groovin’ ” by the Rectangle Shades; “Return To Dreaming” by Wild Shore; “Psychic Self-Defense” by the Perfect Strangers; and “Next Best Thing” by the James Clark Institute.

            Until next time, jangle on!

ERIC