JANGLE ON!

 APRIL

by Eric Sorsensen

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Fresh jangly music has not been able to keep up with the surprisingly resilient winter weather in the mid-Atlantic.  Hence, this month’s column will address several “old friends” as well as some new discs and tunes.  Jangly music enthusiasts should check out:

             In the new category is Dream Boys – the self-titled disc by the Dream Boys.  This album is a terrific debut disc from a pop/rock foursome that borrows heavily from some late 80s/early 90s influences (the Church, the Mighty Lemon Drops, the Blow Pops and Alice In Chains).  Standout tracks include “White Lies,” “Dreams Are Froth,” “Blue,” “Sometimes,” “Sworn” and “Holding Pattern.”  It is always a treat to listen to a disc that is full of hum-along songs from start to finish.  (It’s a hard album to Google because of the generic name. Here’s a link to order it: http://www.pebblerecords.co.uk/dream-boys-dream-boys-art-fag-cd.html )

In the “old” category is the song “Here Comes The Rain” by the Mavericks.  This song was originally released in 1995, but it still shines when Eddie Perez is playing an electric 12-string guitar and Raul Malo is playing an acoustic 12-string guitar on the live version of this song.  I saw the Mavericks perform a sold-out show at the Birchmere last month, and they played nearly 30 songs for a very appreciative audience.

Also in the “old” category are two terrific tracks by the Shorewoods – “Church Ranch Road” (a close cousin to “Alison Road” by the Gin Blossoms) and “Emerald Down.”

Shifting back to the “new” category, I encourage pop music fans to seek out Pop Parade Quatro on the Rock Indiana label.  Much like a Not Lame or Pop Geek Heaven pop compilation, the disc includes 18 strong tracks by stalwart artists (e.g., Paul Collins, Michael Carpenter, the Sick Rose, Genuine Fakes, Eytan Mirsky) in the indie pop community.

 Shake Some Action’s latest disc – Catch The Sun – is overflowing with chiming, jangly tracks.  “Sketches of Spain,” “Moonlight Mind,” “Fall Into The Sky,” “You Don’t Know What It Means,” “Colors Exploding” and “Between My Dreams” will delight jangleholics.

The Swedish duo, the Tangerines, have released an equally jangle-filled and hook-laden new disc – Turn On The Light.  Rickenbacker 12-string guitars glow on “It’s Alright,” “Once In A Lifetime,” “Grils’ Girls’ World,” “Everday A Drama,” “She’s So Fluffy,” “Don’t Get Lonely” and “Waiting At Her Door.”  This exceptional disc is an early contender for 2014 Top Ten honors.

Returning to the “old friends” category, I filled out some recent Jangle Pop compilations with tracks by two of my all-time favorite jangly bands: the Norwegian band the Time Lodgers and the Australian band the Summer Suns (featuring the songs of Kim Williams; “She Understands” could pass for a REM song).

I expect to hear some cool jangly tracks and glimpse a few Rickenbacker guitars on stage when I attend: a forthcoming George Harrison tribute show (featuring a number of local D.C. area artists who perform under the Bandhouse Gigs moniker) in early April; and I attend the Dwight Twilley/Pez Band Power Pop Tour in early May.

ERIC SORENSEN