Jordan Jones “Jordan Jones”
Sometimes when you hear great power pop, it’s easy to spot right away. Los Angeles based Jordan Jones debut is one of those rare instances. His music was a cassette-only release on Burger Records, and later a digital release on Beluga Records this year. Starting with “Wrote You A Song For Me,” I hear a distinct Marc Bolan influence and it sounds like a surefire hit from the golden age of power pop (Big Star, Raspberries, Cheap Trick).
“Understood” is a quick gem with punk fuzz guitar and a fast tempo not unlike The Connection. “My Somebody” is a smooth guitar melody, layered with crashing drums about getting older and looking for somebody. It leads into the super catchy “No Makeup” with smart lyrics about loving the girl whether she has makeup or not. The potential hits keep coming; the mid-tempo “Rumour Girls,” “Waiting” and “Be My Baby” are brilliant in its simplicity. The acoustic “Do You Wanna Hang Out” is just the kind of honest romance Chris Bell would write about on #1 Record. The marching drumbeat opens “Oh My Heavenz” and anchors this sped-up ballad to finish this short debut. Every single one of these ten songs resonates and Jones pulls it off with style and enthusiasm. Highly recommended and a definite spot saved in my top ten list for 2019.
The Whiffs “Another Whiff”
Kansas City’s The Whiffs began with a simple EP in 2017, and they emulated the sound (and look) of Stiff Records label artists like Nick Lowe and Wreckless Eric. This year they took a big leap forward in quality, with songs that would be big hits in a world circa 1978 – 1980. The sound has elements of classic power pop and punk, all 14 quick jams in under three minutes each. “Shaking All Over” is a great Lowe-sounding single with a catchy chorus and a great guitar solo. More standouts include the Raspberries-like “Hey Little Annie,” “Please Be True” and “Dream About Judy.”
The bands’ influences include Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg with heartbreakers full of three-part harmonies like “Throw It Away” and “She.” The pub rock roots come through “On The Boulevard,” and some upbeat punk tunes end the album. My biggest issue with all this is the very muddy sound production. I understand the need for authenticity when recreating an era’s sound, but most of the album’s songs have the mid-range pumped up high. Like a worn-out cassette, it sounds like someone threw a blanket over the entire mix. There is a reason old albums get remastered, and if the band ever did this — it would give these tunes a real chance to shine. Still, this is absolutely an essential listen for power pop fans. Check it out.
