I should like these guys, what with the hooks and chops and everything, so why don't I? Something to do with the airless, ELO-like production? Good story about Brian Wilson visiting them at work in the studio - they proudly showed off their vintage equipment, and he remained stoney-faced and left saying barely a word. Later he spoke to the guy he was with, and said he'd done all that years ago, he was really disappointed because he wanted to learn something new!
I don't like their covers, either, which doesn't help, but I can do something about that.
Gee whiz - what am I missing?
What about their stupid, smug faces?
ReplyDeletengl (as typot are saying, bless), yes, those pans need a slap, that's fer shewer.
DeleteI have a similar issue with Neko Case, and my conclusion is that it's "the songs." I can hear the talent; this is good...but I have yet to find a song that I deeply love. The one that comes closest for me is "Baby's Coming Back," which is catchy and a decent single. (I note McFly - a British band with ten #1 singles - saw fit to cover "Baby's Coming Back" and took it to the #1 spot in 2007; I also note they don't issue records in the U.S.A. What the heck?). With Case...I can hear the Patsy Cline smooth-as-strawberries n' cream voice, but similarly no song sticks to me the way "She's Got You," "Crazy," or even "Walkin' After Midnight" does. That being said, when a Jellyfish song comes around, I enjoy it. I just don't take the CDs down off the shelf and push "play."
ReplyDeleteYou want feeble, non-sustainable reasons for not liking a band? Stepping up here with "stupid name", which I never got past with "Neko Case."
DeleteTry her "Canadian Amp" EP...that got me after seeing her open for Nick Cave in Toronto.
DeleteHowever, most of the other album covers are off-putting...some great songs hidden in there though!
By the way...on the "vintage equipment" front, there's a side project called "The Mood Cookbook" that did a piss-take version of "Hotel California" that cracks me up when it rolls into "oompah-band" mode (on ancient analog synthesizers). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRE8_vsxMWQ
ReplyDeleteO BEW HEW! BEWHEWHEW! Leave the Eagles ALOOOOOONE!!!!! leavethemalone
DeleteThe Mood Cookbook version was great.
DeleteHow about the Alabama 3 Hotel California version as well, you'll like this one FT3. :-).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po-qnMghThc&list=RDpo-qnMghThc&start_radio=1
Jeez...that should have read "the MOOG Cookbook." Spell chunk is not our fiend.
DeleteOh...and thanks, Bambi! That's an interesting cover.
there's no there there? A grad school friend with pretty great musical tastes was enamored and keep playing them for us, especially at parties...what's the riff: "stop trying to make fetch happen, Gretchen?" I'll check out Spilt Milk and thanks for posting...
ReplyDeleteUh--huh - the thereness just ain't? I'll buy that.
DeleteThey were a little precious, and very full of themselves. I saw them at Toad's Place in New Haven on the Spilt Milk tour and the new guitarist kept making eyes at my girlfriend. Next time I saw him he was in the Brady Bunch Movie.
ReplyDeletehttps://everybodysdummy.blogspot.com/search/label/jellyfish
Commented. As always, I enjoy Wardo's screed more than what he's screeding about.
DeleteThanks pal.
DeleteI read every word, and I flinch away from most of the albums you feature. I'll absolutely read a piece on (god help me) a lesser-known Elton John album, an artist I file under UN-HEAR.
DeleteDid u lose the girlfriend? trying 2 get spilled milk joke in :)
DeleteI finally disagree with something here. I enjoy the Jellyfish albums. I agree that at least a couple of them seem to take themselves a little too seriously, but I do like the music. Respect to the opinion, but also respectfully disagree. At least for my listening. I won't drive around the island with it bursting from PA speakers or anything.
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate their talents, without warming to them. I much prefer the Jellyfish offshoot Umajets (FoamFeatured© antecedently), who tick all my boxes without trying too hard.
DeleteWhat about Imperial Drag?
DeleteThumpy, squelchy.
DeleteOh yes, I remember them! Dwarves #8 and 9!
DeleteThis is almost Golden Age commentary. As good as we're going to get in these times in which we're livin' in.
DeleteNever been a fan and find it impossible to get past their intentionally goofy-assed clothes.
ReplyDeletefantastic perfect pop band for me, silly clothes aside, brilliantly crafted songs and I think Neko Case is a genius, no one writes better poetic lyrics. (her latest, however, is ruined by schlocky string arrangements)
ReplyDeleteWhat a banger!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, "banger".
Delete