JANGLE ON! – JULY 2021

by Eric Sorensen

Time flies.  It has been two months since I wrote my last column, and there has been no interruption in the steady stream of pop/rock tunes with jangly and chiming guitar riffs.  With most of North America dealing with record early summer heat, there is greater incentive to stay indoors and surf the internet for new music.  I recommend the following albums and singles to fellow jangly music fans:

Sundown’s End – Kevin Robertson.  Kevin is one-fifth of the jangly psych-pop band the Vapour Trails – who hail from Scotland.  2021 has been a banner year for Scotland and its jangly pop artists – e.g., Dropkick, Teenage Fanclub, Andrew Taylor and now Kevin Robertson.  Andrew Taylor even makes a guest appearance on “Custom Made.”  Kevin combines Beach Boys-styled harmonies with 12-string guitar riffs that remind me of the Cosmic Rough Riders and the Someloves.  Standout chiming tracks include “Love’s Blue Yonder,” “Into The Black,” “Custom Made,” “Yesterday’s Reign” and “Could It Be.”  Sundown’s End is solid from start to end, and should make a number of Top Ten lists in 2021.  Long may you run, Sir Kevin … and long may you run, Sir Darrin Lee of Subjangle Records.

All A View – Wanderlust.  Yes, THE Wanderlust of “I Walked” fame in the mid-1990s.  This veteran pop/rock band returns after a twenty-year absence with an album that should vie for “Comeback Album of the Year” honors.  “Inspiration” features ringing guitar riffs, and “Corduroy Moon” demonstrates the band’s timeless rock chops.  I participated in the Kickstarter campaign to finance this new album, and there is no questioning the great return on investment – a three-CD end product along with bonus tracks.  Long may you run, Sir Scott and band mates.

Deadlights – the Deadlights.  This is the latest recording project by Jeff Shelton (driving force behind the Well Wishers).  Although there are no jangly tracks in the bunch, Shelton excels at his songwriting, vocal and instrumental skills.  Anyone familiar with the Well Wishers top-notch power pop should add this CD to their music library.  Long may you run, Sir Jeff.

Pandora’s Box – Cloud Eleven.  The latest from power pop stalwart Rick Gallego.  I have every Cloud Eleven disc – because of the great pseudo-60s sound – even though there are no chiming tracks in the mix.  Timeless pop from a guy who does it all.  Long may you run, Sir Rick.

The Great Pause – John Larson & the Silver Fields.  Larson (formerly of the Marlowes) and the Silver Fields have released a terrific indie album with some very catchy chiming tracks like “Reversible Heart” and “Progress.”  I am reminded of early Marshall Crenshaw material when I listen to this disc.

The ever-prolific pop/rock artist Jeremy Morris has released two more excellent albums – The Road to Zion and Distant Dream.  The former focuses on more spiritual anthems, and the latter focuses on power pop.  “Take Me Home” is the most chiming track on Distant Dream.  Long may you run, Sir Jeremy.

I was excited to learn that Richard X. Heyman (already a member of my Power Pop All Star Band) is about to release his 14th album, Copious Notes.  If past is prelude, there are bound to be some jangly tracks on this next disc.

Notable singles from the past month include: “Rakes of Yore” (sounding like “Driven Out” by the Fixx with some REM-like Rickenbacker riffs) and “King’s Ex” by Boxcar Suite; two very nice strummy, pseudo-60s tracks by the Lost Days – “In The Fade” (with a “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” vibe) and “Coward Exposed” (with a “Eve of Destruction” melody); “Made of Moods” and “At The End Of The World” by Massage; “Follow” by Gary Louris (sounding like a radio-friendly Jayhawks tune); “Any Second Now” by Johnathan Pushkar; “How Long” by Bob of the Pops; “Pills” by Sonic 45; “Octagon” by Anton Barbeau and Allyson Seconds (featured on the Big Stir Singles: The Tenth Wave CD); “Better Than I Remember” by the James Clark Institute; and “Dissonance” and “Consort” by the Maladaptive Solution (a consortium of musicians that includes power pop wunderkind Michael Carpenter).

Until next time, jangle on!