Songs You May Have Missed #606

01 Jan 2017 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: , , , , ,

bleu

Bleu: “Could Be Worse” (2003)

Bleu (a.k.a. James McAuley III) got help on his second full-length album from fellow power pop sympathizers like Semisonic’s Dan Wilson and Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish, who co-wrote and sang backup on “Could Be Worse”.

A fine point to note here is this example of top-notch songcraft: the melody accompanying the words “could be better” in the chorus mirrors the pitch pattern of the phrase commonly used when it is spoken.

A careful listener will catch this bit of cleverness now and then in a pop song. It’s usually the mark of a real pro.

Songs You May Have Missed #535

07 Jun 2015 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

Jellyfish

Jellyfish: “Ignorance is Bliss” (1991)

King Bowser sings to Princess Toadstool of his wicked intentions. From a compilation album released by Nintendo in 1991, and previously a B-side for wacky, wonderful power poppers Jellyfish.

For a novelty record these guys sure put a lot of effort (and unconventional instruments) into the mix. Listen for the perky banjo that kicks in on the second chorus at 1:10, or the jew’s harp, or…

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/04/21/songs-you-may-have-missed-86/

Songs You May Have Missed #86

21 Apr 2012 4 Comments

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

jellyfish

Jellyfish: “That Is Why” (1990)

Jellyfish were a short-lived psychedelic-tinged power pop band who only recorded two studio albums but cast a long shadow on the genre. Their McCartneyesque harmonies and sweet melodic pop might have found a wider audience in any era other than the early 1990’s.

Their two highly-regarded albums, 1990’s Bellybutton and 1993’s Spilt Milk are touchstones of ambitious power pop and well worth seeking out for fans of bands like XTC and Crowded House.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/06/07/songs-you-may-have-missed-535/