Starbelly “Four”
Like many power pop icons from the ‘90s, Starbelly has finally released their long-awaited reunion Four. Anchored by the duo of Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket, they are joined by Bryan Ewald (guitar) and Greg Schroeder (drums). And like similar mature artists (Matthew Sweet, David Myhr) they look back on life a little mellower, but the melodies are as sharp as ever.
It opens with a low key “The Boy Who Learned How to Cry” about a father’s passing and moving on from the past on “Lay Low.” Good tunes, but greatness starts out on the subtle ballad “Sleep” with its rich ear-worm chorus and Ewald’s George Harrison-like slide guitar. With “The Stars of Constantine” it sounds like the glorious Starbelly of old, with dense guitars and harmonies. The upbeat “Strange Constellations” and Posies-like “Yes I Love Her Again” are also great songs. But the amazing thing is the music all get progressively better as the album continues.
The five-minute-plus “Danny Opus” is a musical suite similar to Abbey Road, with distinctive melody lines that tell the tale of a rock star’s obsession and it is simply awesome. The songs after this put it over the top as “Emily Says,” “Jesus Freak” and “Don’t Wake Up” are also excellent. No filler and this does make my top ten for 2018. Super Highly Recommended.
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. “Glamping” EP
It’s hard to believe but it’s almost 10 years since we heard any solo work from Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. Playing within Beck’s touring band with Jason Falkner (another Jellyfish alum) is how he spends his day job. I interviewed Roger recently about why it took this long to get an EP out.
The new 4 song EP called Glamping starts with “Operator,” a catchy Jellyfish styled tune with a telephone theme that has some great hidden references to Steely Dan and Tommy Tutone. This is an excellent start, but “Funhouse” doesn’t quite match it. The dark theme about budding puberty seems mashed into an overly sunny chorus. Next, “Is It All a Dream” is light synth-pop that feels like filler and the six-minute “I’m Not Your Cowboy” is like a slow building Elton John-styled tune.
While it’s comforting to know that Roger Manning still sounds great and has some Jellyfish magic left in him, I look forward to him really letting loose. As per our interview, Roger will be coming out with new music more regularly and I can’t wait. Fans should pick it up and he’s packaged it with newly re-released versions of his last two solo LPs Catnip Dynamite and Land of Pure Imagination.
