JANGLE ON! – January 2023

by Eric Sorensen

2022 was a banner year for jangly pop music.  Let’s hope that the trend that has produced so many fine chiming, melodic tunes in the past year continues in 2023.  Before closing the book on 2022, I recommend the following CDs, CD EPs and single tracks to fellow jangly music enthusiasts:

            A Wonderful Surprise and The Day The World Stood Still – two new CDs from the ever-prolific pop singer/songwriter/musician Jeremy Morris (AKA Jeremy).  These two CDs sparkle with jangly, chiming guitar riffs and represent the continuing collaboration between Jeremy and Posies alum Ken Stringfellow.  “Rags to Riches” and “Hide The Pain” may be the most overt jangly tracks, but the treble setting can be heard on just about every track.  What a year this has been for Jeremy; these two CDs come on the heels of the latest Lemon Clocks CD, Abre Los Ojos, and Jeremy’s own 30-song Brighter Day CD.  “A wonderful surprise” says it all!  Long may you run, Sir Jeremy and Sir Ken!

            Have A Cool Summer! Pop Demos and 4-Track Gems 1979 – 1989 – by Steve Rosenbaum.  Wow!  This compilation includes 23 tracks from a multi-track artist who embraces the sweet sound of 60s and 70s pop and soft rock.  Some songs feature Beach Boys flourishes; some tracks feature a more Byrds-oriented sound.  Jangly guitars are notable on “My Innocence” and “Girls Over Gravity.”  This compilation was well worth the wait!  Thank you, Steve, for sharing these “pop gems” (an understatement) with the rest of us.

            Magic Carpet Ryders – a CD EP from the Magic Carpet Ryders.   Northern California has been a hotbed for pseudo-60s and Byrdsian pop/rock music of late, and this Nevada City band nails that sound.  A chiming Rickenbacker 12-string guitar is front and center on songs like “Don’t Ask Me Why,” “Run Baby Run,” “Motorbike,” “Thinking Of Me” and “Elevator.”  I certainly hope that we hear more from this band in 2023!

            Love, Death, Dreams And The Sleep Between – by Fine.  This pop band (featuring male and female vocals) delivers the goods with 19 tracks of soft rock and jangly tracks – like “Bed” and “Sleep.”

             Favorite new singles from the past month include: “Looking Right At You” by the Morning Line;” Rules” by John McCabe (another track with a REM/Michael Stipe vibe); “Go Free” by Bird Streets (I hear hints of Teenage Fanclub); “Silver One” by Julian Never; “TV Screen” by Nick Cory Young; “Learn To Lose” and “Big Ideas” by the Wynntown Marshals; “Emma’s House” by Space Kelly; “A Drop In The Ocean” by the Speedways; “The Voices In My Head” by the Songs of Tom Smith; “Superman’s Hands” by the Nervous Eaters; and “Irish Goodbye” by Daily Worker.  So much music, so little time!

            As we close out 2022, I want to give another shout-out to Andrew Taylor and Gonzalo Marcos (AKA The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness).  Their song – “The Stars Go Round” – earns my Song of the Year accolades.  This is a perfect pop song that really resonates with me emotionally.  Thank you Andrew and Gonzalo for this wonderful and lasting musical gift.

            Until next time, jangle on!  ERIC