JANGLE ON!
APRIL
by Eric Sorensen
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2015 may have gotten off to a slow start for this jangle pop enthusiast, but the year has been gaining traction as the warm weather approaches. Two days ago, I placed an order for seven more CDs from Kool Kat Musik – so things are definitely picking up. New artists, discs and songs that I recommend include:
LiGhtHOURS – American Suitcase. The line between Teenage Fanclub and American Suitcase is getting very blurry, and LiGhtHOURS will delight fans of both bands. American Suitcase wears its penchant for harmony, jangly guitars and catchy hooks on its sleeves. A dozen of the songs on this disc fall into the “classic Teenage Fanclub” category – which means that this is one of those albums that deserves repeated start-to-finish listenings. “Think Of It” grandly sums up the sense that spring and pop music were meant to go together – and put a smile on the listeners’ face!
Re-Wind – The Wind. Veteran power pop artists – Lane Steinberg, Steven Katz and Steve Burdick (who first recorded together in the early 80s) have collaborated again on this excellent album. Standout tracks include “Yes And No,” “Fight Like A Girl,” “Unattainable” and “Late Decider.” Re-Wind is further evidence that power pop veterans can hold their own with today’s younger artists.
West – The Kennedys. I was fortunate enough to see Pete and Maura perform at a house concert in early March, and I purchased a copy of their latest disc at that show. All of the appealing elements of the Kennedys’ “coffeehouse pop” are present in West, and Pete features his Rickenbacker 12-string guitar on the title track and the John Wicks-penned tune “Perfect Love.” Long may you run, Pete and Maura!
The Weeklings – The Weeklings. Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger join forces to give Beatles fans a big slab of Merseybeat tunes – including several obscure Lennon/McCartney tracks. The original tracks – like “If I Was In Love,” “You Know What To Do” and “Leave Me With My Pride” – all shine. This is Beatlesque pop at is finest!
Fan, Fan, Fan and The Worst of Baby Scream – Baby Scream. This double disc is chock full of catchy power pop tunes, including some fun covers of “I’ll Be There For You” and “The Scooby-Doo Theme Song.”
Double Trouble – Fireking. “Untitled” and a great cover of Gene Clark’s “So You Say You Lost Your Baby” make this disc worth the price of admission.
How I Won The War – the Grip Weeds. Another veteran power pop/rock band scores with another disc that is overflowing with the pseudo-60s psch/pop this group has been known for for two decades. My favorite track: “Rainbow Quartz” (perhaps an homage to one of the finest indie record labels in recent memory?)
Jamboree – Honeywagen. Thirteen tracks of straight-ahead power pop – many with jangly guitars, and many with hooks that will keep the listener humming along. Like their previous release, it’s all good!
Cold Sun – the latest CD EP from the One Minute Millionaires. This pop/rock band deserves favorable comparisons with some of my favorite Arizona bands – the Gin Blossoms and the Sidewinders – and the late great Sun Kings from El Paso. “Down” is the opening track that is just aching for air play.
Since I wrote my last Jangle On! column, good friend Ray Verno is now up to Byrdsian Volume 108. The best songs on Ray’s latest compilation are “Earthbound” by the Headlights; “Echoes In Time” by the Marshmallow Overcoat; and numerous versions of Gene Clark’s “She Don’t Care About Time.”
Until next time, jangle on!
ERIC
