JANGLE ON! – October

If you’re reading this column in the final days of October or early November, then the Pop Geek Heaven site has successfully transitioned from its Beta phase to its more public identity.  For those of you who make an effort to keep up with jangly pop music, here is a quick synopsis of recent jangly discs and tracks that should appeal to you:

Modern Art – Matthew Sweet.  Matthew Sweet has taken a break from his recent collaborative efforts with Susanna Hoffs (Sid and Susie) to release one of his finest solo discs in years.  “She Walks The Night” is one of the most Byrds-influenced songs to come along in several years.  The album version of this song has some lead-in, middle and fade-out recording effects that distract a bit from this chiming track, so I recommend the edited commercially available single version of this track – which plays like a perfect pop song.  Listening to this track can be a bittersweet experience – as “She Walks The Night” reminds me a great deal of the late Andrew Gold’s fabulous homage to the Byrds “Space And Time.”  Melancholia aside, the album and this song represent Matthew Sweet’s welcome return to the power pop mainstream.  Long may you run, Sir Matthew!

Sweetheart Of The Sun – the Bangles.  Speaking of Susanna Hoffs, all that Sid and Susie synergy has generated a new Bangles album (promised a decade ago) in addition to the new Matthew Sweet disc.  The reunited members (Hoffs, Vicki and Debbi Peterson) prove that the Bangles still have the vocals and guitar chops that made them stand out among their Paisley Underground peers nearly thirty years ago.  Tracks like “Anna Lee,” “I’ll Never Be Through With You,” “Mesmerized,” “Lay Yourself Down,” “One Of Two” and “Through Your Eyes” are overflowing with chiming guitar riffs.  The album concludes with an excellent cover of Todd Rundgren’s “Open My Eyes.”  Although the Bangles could rest on their laurels and perform their mid-80s classics as well as selected cover tracks, it’s nice to know that the trio still has a gift for original pop/rock material.   Sweetheart Of The Sun is vintage Bangles – with crisp vocal harmonies, catchy tunes and a strong studio supporting cast.  The album was worth the wait!

Soundtrack – Dwight Twilley.  This album was recorded to accompany a documentary about one of Power Pop’s iconic figures.  It stands on its own merits as a terrific new Dwight Twilley album.  “Skeleton Man,” “Out In The Rain,” “The Lonely One” and “The Last Time Around” feature strummy, jangly tracks that Twilley fans have always appreciated … but every track is evidence that Dwight Twilley, a pop singer/songwriter for four decades, still has the composing and recording skills that few of his Boomer peers possess.  Long may you run, Sir Dwight!

The Olympus Sound – by Pugwash.  An excellent power pop disc that is awash in 60s antecedents.  “Here We Go ‘Round Again” is the most chiming track, but the strength of this disc lies in its power pop craftsmanship.  The riffs and vocals may sound familiar, but (to steal a colleague’s favorite phrase) it’s all good.

Farrah – Farrah.  This is a pop band that has flirted with various genres of pop.  This latest self-titled disc borrows heavily from the Beatles oeuvre.  Many bands have used the Fab Four as a template, but few bands have the talent to pull it off.  There isn’t a jangly track among the twelve songs, but this disc remains in rotation because it sounds so good from start to finish!

Fellow Byrds enthusiast Ray Verno discovered some excellent chiming tracks for his latest Byrdsian 80 compilation.  The songs include: “You Are The One” by Glen Shulfer (eerily similar to Tom Petty’s “The Waiting”); “Hard To Break” by Vetiver; “Sioux City” by the Fallen Stars; “We’ll Meet On The Shore” by Penny Davies and Roger Illot (love that Rickenbacker 370RM compressed sound!); and “Silver From” by J.D. Malone and the Experts.  Ray also included a poignant live version of the late Gene Clark’s “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” performed by the late Warren Zevon.

Other standout tracks that have gotten renewed attention in the past month are: Del Shannon’s 1965 recording of “Needles And Pins;” the VanDeLecki’s cool hidden track “REM;” and two other tracks that fall into the ‘sounds like REM’ category – “Seven Years” by the Rumors and “Find A Reason” by the Strawmen.  REM may have called it quits, but those of us who are jangly music fans know that this quartet from Athens, Georgia was perhaps the most influential American band of the past three decades – given how many other bands mimicked their sound.

Enjoy the ever-evolving Pop Geek Heaven site … and until next time, jangle on!